BENENDEN Healthcare Society, the York-based organisation which advises and helps a membership of 940,000 former public sector workers, has pledged its continuing support to the ideals of mutuality by becoming the newest member of Co-operatives UK.

Co-operatives UK is the national trade body that campaigns for co-operation. Benenden Healthcare is a friendly society run for members.

One of Britain’s longest serving and most respected mutual healthcare societies, Benenden Healthcare was begun in 1905 by post office clerk Charles Garland as a way of supporting his colleagues who had TB.

Today, it employs 157 people in an office block at Holgate Park, and its membership also includes registered charities and other organisations whose aims and objectives are deemed compatible with its own.

Now, working closely with Co-operatives UK, Benenden Healthcare is planning to strengthen its links with the co-operative movement.

Ken Hesketh, chief executive of Benenden Healthcare, said: “Our mutuality and our democratic structure means that members play an active role in the running of the society.

“There is a fascinating policy debate at the moment that could herald the rejuvenation of mutual organisations’ role in society. We should celebrate the fact that in democracies there is always a plurality of views.

“But there is a growing consensus on the extended role and benefits that mutual organisations can provide to the UK health and wellbeing marketplace.

“In our society we believe that promotion of existing and establishment of new mutual organisations, in all their guises, can only serve to promote a more active and inclusive society.”