Wayne Hemingway MBE will provide the keynote opening address at the pioneering 3Market event at the University of Southampton on 9 February 2010.
In the first event of its kind, 3MARKET will provide opportunities for businesses to source more ethical products and services from local businesses which are driven by social purpose rather than shareholder gain. Social enterprises are fast becoming an attractive alternative for businesses looking to demonstrate ethical business practices, such as protecting the environment and supporting the local community.
Iain Lucas, Chair of the group organising 3MARKET,  said: “We are delighted that Wayne Hemmingway is supporting the event.  His business success is built on ethical trading and Hampshire businesses have a superb opportunity to benefit from his experience.” Deborah Wyatt from Business Link added: “The development of social enterprise is critical to the economic ambitions of the region. Ethical business is also good business as it can attract more customers and affect the bottom line.”  She added: “We are extremely proud that Hampshire is leading the South East in providing real trading opportunities for social enterprises.”
Along with the exhibition of 30 social enterprises, the event will include several keynote speakers, seminars and networking opportunities and 3MARKET will also offer sponsorship opportunities for the event.
Further information can be obtained by visiting www.3market.org.

In 1829, Louis Braille published the Method of Writing Words, Music, and Plain Song by Means of Dots, for Use by the Blind and Arranged by Them. Today, this method – braille – is used in virtually every language as the standard form of reading and writing by people who are blind, deafblind, or living with vision loss. For more information please go to www.cnib.ca

Congratulations to The Phone Co-op who recently celebrated their 10th anniversary. We’ve used The Phone Co-op for our telephone calls since their beginning due to excellent customer service, competitive pricing and their continued commitment to provide an ethical and socially responsible service.
Go to www.thephone.coop for more details and don’t forget to tell them we sent you!

Hopefully you’ll notice a big difference when you call us following our investment in a new telephone system. Total Coverage and our callers are now enjoying the best in digital phone systems and the service improvements that this brings. The new system has the latest technology and will allow easier call forwarding, voicemail and conference calls.
Why not ring us on 023 8067 8330 and check out the difference?

Co-operative & Community Finance has announced that its latest share issue for ICO Fund plc has raised over £1 million. The money will be lent, repaid, and lent again to co-operatives across the UK to create and protect jobs, boost local economies, convert environmental concern into action and foster economic democracy.

Co-operative & Community Finance, formerly known as ICOF, has been providing loan finance for co-operatives, employee owned businesses and social enterprises since it was established in 1973.

To celebrate our 20th year in business Total Coverage recently held a party at the historical 800 year old Bargate Monument in Southampton. Now a contemporary art gallery it provided a perfect venue to enjoy our birthday celebrations and to launch our new identity.

We would like to thank The Co-operative Group South West Region for sponsoring the Fairtrade refreshments, Bay Leaves catering for supplying such delicious canapes, A Space art gallery for a fantastic venue and Paul Carter for capturing the atmosphere of the evening so perfectly in his pictures.

Finally the current members of Total Coverage would like to thank the Southampton Sheriff Cllr and Mrs Brian Parnell, clients, suppliers and past members of TC who attended the evening for all of their support.