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Become a supporter of Global Grooves

Become a supporter of Global Grooves

Global Grooves is a type of co-operative organisation called a Community Benefit Society (Bencom). Co-operatives exist to serve their members, whether they are the customers, the employees, or the local community. Through consultation with our community, we preferred the term ‘supporter’ to ‘member’. These different types of people often share an interest in, or who are affected by, an organisation or its actions. 

Our Global Grooves supporters can be found here within our walls at The Vale, out in our local community, animating the streets with us at outdoor events around the UK, and are even as far reaching as our international Carnival communities overseas. 

Global Grooves opted to become a Bencom because this type of organisation is:

  • owned by their members/supporters, who are also known as community shareholders. 
  • managed by an elected Board of Directors AND their membership (who have voting rights).
  • primarily required to use any profits they make for the benefit of the community. 

What’s involved?

In short, showing the love for Global Grooves, as well as having your say as a representative of our membership. 

The opportunity to become a supporter of Global Grooves initially includes (but is not limited to): 

  • Free lifelong membership – it will not cost anything to become a supporter of Global Grooves, and you can opt out any time. 
  • Dedicated supporters’ annual celebration event – a chance to celebrate the year’s successes at Global Grooves, whilst thanking our supporters and offering them a chance to vote on items and ask questions during Q&A sessions (later in 2026). 
  • Voting rights and standing for election – supporters will be able to put themselves forward for election, to become a voice of the membership. In turn they will have voting rights at a strategic / board level within the organisation. More information on this element will follow later in the spring.
  • The warm glow of being an active part of our Global Grooves community.

Different ways to sign up as a supporter – there are variety of ways to sign up; online form, paper copies, via telephone (call us on 0161 870 6895 for assistance), and in person ‘scribed’ options if you wish to pop into The Vale to visit us. In early 2026, we are piloting the early stages of collecting our supporters’ information, refining and reviewing as we go. 

We ask that supporters signing up are age 12 and above.

 

"I love to connect with other artists and organisations around the world like Global Grooves who are involved in the Carnival traditions I love."

Guga Santos, musician and visual artist (Brazil)

How do I become a Supporter?

Simply fill in the online form below after reading the FAQs, and we’ll do the rest!

You’ll receive the occasional special update email from us as one of our Supporters (not too many emails, don’t worry) and in the spring you’ll get to hear more about how to become more involved in Global Grooves as a representative of our membership. More to follow about that soon.

Thank you! We couldn’t do it without you. 

FAQs (before you sign up)

Answers to your questions about becoming a Supporter of Global Grooves

 

Q: How much does it cost and how long does it last for?

A: It’s a free lifelong membership, with the option to opt out at any time (email [email protected] to request an opt out).

 

Q: Can members be from other countries outside the UK?

A: Absolutely! Our network extends around the globe, and we would love to hear from our international friends in the international Carnival network.

 

Q: Who can become a member?

A:  Anyone! If you would like to see Global Grooves continue to grow for many years to come, we would love to have you on that journey with us.

 

Q: What consultation have you done with potential supporters already? 

A: In 2024-2025, we held face-to-face and online consultation sessions with a focus group which included freelance artists, participants, audience members, and local residents, as well as our in-house team. We explored the history of Global Grooves and other related resident organisations based here at The Vale, celebrating their shared mission to bring about positive change and life-enhancing experiences through artistic programmes and activities. We thought about what was important to us as individuals engaging with Global Grooves, as well as the opportunities for the organisation to continue to learn and grow from the insights of our community. It was decided that ‘supporter’ was the preferred name for someone engaging with the organisation as a member.

 

Q: How old do I need to be to sign up as a supporter?

A: Age 12 and above.

 

Become a supporter

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Pop your email address in the box here and we’ll send you updates about our work, including how to get involved. We promise we won’t inundate your inbox, but you will be able to unsubscribe at any time.

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