The ‘Barefoot’
Training Programme
Lessons from a recent survey
April 2025
How effective is Barefoot – a six month programme that has now trained more than 100 individuals since 2020 – in creating a new generation of co-operative advisors? To explore the impact of the programme over the last five years, we launched an alumni survey to find out about the graduates’ post-programme experience, particularly focusing on preparedness for work, employment journeys, and ongoing development needs.
How effective is Barefoot – a six month programme that has now trained more than 100 individuals since 2020 – in creating a new generation of co-operative advisors? To explore the impact of the programme over the last five years, we launched an alumni survey to find out about the graduates’ post-programme experience, particularly focusing on preparedness for work, employment journeys, and ongoing development needs.
How effective is Barefoot – a six month programme that has now trained more than 100 individuals since 2020 – in creating a new generation of co-operative advisors? To explore the impact of the programme over the last five years, we launched an alumni survey to find out about the graduates’ post-programme experience, particularly focusing on preparedness for work, employment journeys, and ongoing development needs.
The survey findings reveal significant successes, with graduates universally reporting feeling more prepared to seek work opportunities (100%), and a clear majority (82%) securing relevant employment, contracts, or starting their own advisory businesses shortly after completing the programme. Many are also starting to apply their learning to support new and existing business within the co-operative sector.
The survey findings reveal significant successes, with graduates universally reporting feeling more prepared to seek work opportunities (100%), and a clear majority (82%) securing relevant employment, contracts, or starting their own advisory businesses shortly after completing the programme. Many are also starting to apply their learning to support new and existing business within the co-operative sector.
The survey findings reveal significant successes, with graduates universally reporting feeling more prepared to seek work opportunities (100%), and a clear majority (82%) securing relevant employment, contracts, or starting their own advisory businesses shortly after completing the programme. Many are also starting to apply their learning to support new and existing business within the co-operative sector.
Alongside celebrating these achievements, the survey provides insights into where graduates seek further support – from mentorship and practical experience to advanced training and stronger networking opportunities. Based directly on this feedback, a series of strategic recommendations has been developed to build upon the programme's strengths and to ensure that new advisors are comprehensively supported throughout their careers. Here, we explore the key survey insights and the responsive recommendations designed to further enhance the programme experience.
Alongside celebrating these achievements, the survey provides insights into where graduates seek further support – from mentorship and practical experience to advanced training and stronger networking opportunities. Based directly on this feedback, a series of strategic recommendations has been developed to build upon the programme's strengths and to ensure that new advisors are comprehensively supported throughout their careers. Here, we explore the key survey insights and the responsive recommendations designed to further enhance the programme experience.
Alongside celebrating these achievements, the survey provides insights into where graduates seek further support – from mentorship and practical experience to advanced training and stronger networking opportunities. Based directly on this feedback, a series of strategic recommendations has been developed to build upon the programme's strengths and to ensure that new advisors are comprehensively supported throughout their careers. Here, we explore the key survey insights and the responsive recommendations designed to further enhance the programme experience.
Preparedness for Work
Preparedness for Work
Preparedness for Work
Did the Barefoot Programme support you to feel more prepared to seek new work opportunities?
Did the Barefoot Programme support you to feel more prepared to seek new work opportunities?
Did the Barefoot Programme support you to feel more prepared to seek new work opportunities?
Employment Outcomes
Employment Outcomes
Employment Outcomes
Have you secured related work or a job since completing the Barefoot Programme?
Have you secured related work or a job since completing the Barefoot Programme?
Have you secured related work or a job since completing the Barefoot Programme?
Types of Work Pursued
Types of Work Pursued
Types of Work Pursued
What type of work or roles are you currently pursuing or engaged in?
What type of work or roles are you currently pursuing or engaged in?
What type of work or roles are you currently pursuing or engaged in?
Business Formation
Business Formation
Business Formation
Have you formed or registered a new advisory business since completing the Barefoot Programme?
Have you formed or registered a new advisory business since completing the Barefoot Programme?
Have you formed or registered a new advisory business since completing the Barefoot Programme?
Commissioned Advisory Work
Commissioned Advisory Work
Commissioned Advisory Work
Have you been commissioned to deliver advisory work since completing the programme?
Have you been commissioned to deliver advisory work since completing the programme?
Have you been commissioned to deliver advisory work since completing the programme?
Sector Specialisation
Sector Specialisation
Sector Specialisation
Do you specialise in any particular sectors?
Do you specialise in any particular sectors?
Do you specialise in any particular sectors?
Full-Time Advisory Work Interest
Full-Time Advisory Work Interest
Full-Time Advisory Work Interest
Would you consider leaving your current day job to become a full-time business advisor?
Would you consider leaving your current day job to become a full-time business advisor?
Would you consider leaving your current day job to become a full-time business advisor?
Mentoring and Sector Entry
Mentoring and Sector Entry
Mentoring and Sector Entry
What further development opportunities within the Barefoot Programme would help you enhance your skills or career progression?
What further development opportunities within the Barefoot Programme would help you enhance your skills or career progression?
What further development opportunities within the Barefoot Programme would help you enhance your skills or career progression?
While the survey shows considerable successes, it also outlines clear routes for enhancing graduate support and creating more opportunities for ‘sector entry’. Responding directly to the specific needs and suggestions raised by alumni, we’ve developed the following key recommendations:
While the survey shows considerable successes, it also outlines clear routes for enhancing graduate support and creating more opportunities for ‘sector entry’. Responding directly to the specific needs and suggestions raised by alumni, we’ve developed the following key recommendations:
While the survey shows considerable successes, it also outlines clear routes for enhancing graduate support and creating more opportunities for ‘sector entry’. Responding directly to the specific needs and suggestions raised by alumni, we’ve developed the following key recommendations:
Strengthen Post-Programme Support
Strengthen Post-Programme Support
Strengthen Post-Programme Support
To nurture emerging advisors beyond the formal programme, we recommend establishing a structured mentoring programme that pairs recent graduates with experienced advisors. Furthermore, fostering collaborative growth can be achieved by facilitating peer learning groups, creating dedicated spaces where alumni can candidly share both challenges and successes achieved in their practice.
To nurture emerging advisors beyond the formal programme, we recommend establishing a structured mentoring programme that pairs recent graduates with experienced advisors. Furthermore, fostering collaborative growth can be achieved by facilitating peer learning groups, creating dedicated spaces where alumni can candidly share both challenges and successes achieved in their practice.
To nurture emerging advisors beyond the formal programme, we recommend establishing a structured mentoring programme that pairs recent graduates with experienced advisors. Furthermore, fostering collaborative growth can be achieved by facilitating peer learning groups, creating dedicated spaces where alumni can candidly share both challenges and successes achieved in their practice.
To ease the transition into work, we also recommend structured shadowing or apprenticeship opportunities, allowing new advisors the invaluable experience of working closely alongside established practitioners in real-world settings. Additionally, we propose developing an innovative 'live projects' initiative, enabling alumni to gain crucial hands-on experience by contributing to genuine co-operative development support.
To ease the transition into work, we also recommend structured shadowing or apprenticeship opportunities, allowing new advisors the invaluable experience of working closely alongside established practitioners in real-world settings. Additionally, we propose developing an innovative 'live projects' initiative, enabling alumni to gain crucial hands-on experience by contributing to genuine co-operative development support.
To ease the transition into work, we also recommend structured shadowing or apprenticeship opportunities, allowing new advisors the invaluable experience of working closely alongside established practitioners in real-world settings. Additionally, we propose developing an innovative 'live projects' initiative, enabling alumni to gain crucial hands-on experience by contributing to genuine co-operative development support.
Enhance Employment Pathways
Enhance Employment Pathways
Enhance Employment Pathways
To support graduates to start working in the sector means developing strategic partnerships with established co-operative development bodies, supportive local authorities, and third sector infrastructure bodies to secure a broader, more reliable stream of paid work opportunities for new advisors.
To support graduates to start working in the sector means developing strategic partnerships with established co-operative development bodies, supportive local authorities, and third sector infrastructure bodies to secure a broader, more reliable stream of paid work opportunities for new advisors.
To support graduates to start working in the sector means developing strategic partnerships with established co-operative development bodies, supportive local authorities, and third sector infrastructure bodies to secure a broader, more reliable stream of paid work opportunities for new advisors.
This stage would also benefit from guidance on the practicalities of establishing new co-operative agencies, particularly focused on the potential for specialisation, and creating robust service models that can be easily adapted to new clients and commissioners. We also recommend providing modest start-up grants that could accelerate the process of new advisors launching their own development bodies.
This stage would also benefit from guidance on the practicalities of establishing new co-operative agencies, particularly focused on the potential for specialisation, and creating robust service models that can be easily adapted to new clients and commissioners. We also recommend providing modest start-up grants that could accelerate the process of new advisors launching their own development bodies.
This stage would also benefit from guidance on the practicalities of establishing new co-operative agencies, particularly focused on the potential for specialisation, and creating robust service models that can be easily adapted to new clients and commissioners. We also recommend providing modest start-up grants that could accelerate the process of new advisors launching their own development bodies.
Increase Alumni Engagement & Networking
Increase Alumni Engagement & Networking
Increase Alumni Engagement & Networking
To support graduates beyond the formal programme, regular networking events – both online and in-person – are essential for maintaining connection and developing professional knowledge. In addition, facilitating regional meet-ups will encourage valuable local collaboration amongst advisors and provide readily available, localised peer support networks.
To support graduates beyond the formal programme, regular networking events – both online and in-person – are essential for maintaining connection and developing professional knowledge. In addition, facilitating regional meet-ups will encourage valuable local collaboration amongst advisors and provide readily available, localised peer support networks.
To support graduates beyond the formal programme, regular networking events – both online and in-person – are essential for maintaining connection and developing professional knowledge. In addition, facilitating regional meet-ups will encourage valuable local collaboration amongst advisors and provide readily available, localised peer support networks.
Moreover, actively encouraging alumni to contribute towards building a collaborative resource hub – potentially encompassing practitioner-developed toolkits and readily adaptable legal templates – will significantly increase the collective expertise and resources available to all graduates.
Moreover, actively encouraging alumni to contribute towards building a collaborative resource hub – potentially encompassing practitioner-developed toolkits and readily adaptable legal templates – will significantly increase the collective expertise and resources available to all graduates.
Moreover, actively encouraging alumni to contribute towards building a collaborative resource hub – potentially encompassing practitioner-developed toolkits and readily adaptable legal templates – will significantly increase the collective expertise and resources available to all graduates.
Next Steps?
Next Steps?
Next Steps?
The Barefoot survey data and recommendations outline a comprehensive and fundable strategy to support a new generation of co-operative advisors to work with existing providers and start new development bodies.
The Barefoot survey data and recommendations outline a comprehensive and fundable strategy to support a new generation of co-operative advisors to work with existing providers and start new development bodies.
The Barefoot survey data and recommendations outline a comprehensive and fundable strategy to support a new generation of co-operative advisors to work with existing providers and start new development bodies.
The next phase of building national support for the programme is an upcoming roundtable to explore how we can collectively secure the future of the programme and raise new funding from within and beyond the movement to create sector entry opportunities for graduates.
The next phase of building national support for the programme is an upcoming roundtable to explore how we can collectively secure the future of the programme and raise new funding from within and beyond the movement to create sector entry opportunities for graduates.
The next phase of building national support for the programme is an upcoming roundtable to explore how we can collectively secure the future of the programme and raise new funding from within and beyond the movement to create sector entry opportunities for graduates.
With current government policy committed to doubling the size of the sector, and the pressing need for more democratic ownership in foundational sectors – from energy to technology – this is an important moment to invest in a new generation of advisors.
With current government policy committed to doubling the size of the sector, and the pressing need for more democratic ownership in foundational sectors – from energy to technology – this is an important moment to invest in a new generation of advisors.
With current government policy committed to doubling the size of the sector, and the pressing need for more democratic ownership in foundational sectors – from energy to technology – this is an important moment to invest in a new generation of advisors.
Download the survey
Download the survey
Download the survey
This survey was originally published in STIR magazine, issue 49. Click below to access it:
This survey was originally published in STIR magazine, issue 49. Click below to access it:
This survey was originally published in STIR magazine, issue 49. Click below to access it:
The CfDB is a project of Stir to Action Ltd, a worker co-operative registered in England as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Company number 07951013
Our team is based in Dorset, London, and Manchester
Designed and built by Guillermo Ortego
You can subscribe to our newsletter here
The CfDB is a project of Stir to Action Ltd, a worker co-operative registered in England as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Company number 07951013
Our team is based in Dorset, London, and Manchester
Designed and built by Guillermo Ortego
You can subscribe to our newsletter here
The CfDB is a project of Stir to Action Ltd, a worker co-operative registered in England as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Company number 07951013
Our team is based in Dorset, London, and Manchester
Designed and built by Guillermo Ortego