Member benefits

Counselling Service

CO3 have commissioned Carecall to provide you with an independent, professional and completely confidential counselling service. Carecall counselling is carried out in an extremely supportive, caring and confidential way by experienced Counsellors. Being able to talk to someone who will help recognise your strengths and capabilities, and who will give practical, concrete support to deal with issues, can be just the help needed to work through a problem.

In addition to the core counselling service you may not be aware that Carecall can also provide you with access to the following professional support free of charge:

 Legal advice (on non-employment related matters) to assist you in dealing with issues such as debt or insolvency, family and matrimonial problems or a property or residential situation. 

Retirement planning advice to support you with both the practical and emotional impact of moving into your retirement and ensuring that you a fully prepared to enjoy your retirement

 Financial advice to assist you in putting practical measures in place to begin managing personal debt such as prioritising your debts, planning a personal budget, talking to creditors and, if appropriate, assisting you to consolidate your debt.

You can call us free of charge 24 hours a day, 365 days per year on:  0800 389 5362

Please remember this is a completely independent and confidential service.

Legal services

Free Legal Advice, provided by Rosemary Connolly Solicitors, which has a special interest in employment law. An initial consultation is free of charge, to any CO3 member (you must quote that you are a member). This is confidential service provided by Rosemary Connolly, 2 The Square, Warrenpoint, Co Down, BT34 3JT T: 028 4175 3121 F: 028 4175 3141 E: rosemaryconnolly@solicitorsni.netThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   They have now opened a new Belfast office at 44-46 Elmwood Avenue.

Leadership Library

Access to specialist Leadership Library of books, DVDs and other publications, specialising in Leadership, Governance, HR, Finance, Funding and other issues. If we don’t have the publication, we’ll order it and have it delivered to you.  

Bursaries and Scholarships

CO3 constantly seeks bursary opportunities for its members particularly in this current difficut economic climate.  In the past these have included Windsor Leadership Trust and the Federal Executive Institute, ‘Leadership for a Democratic Society’, programme at Charlottesville, Virginia.

Peer Training and Information Events

Timely and effective events aimed at and attended by voluntary and community sector leaders, providing networking with peers.

Connections and Influence

Strategic briefings with key decision makers and helpful contacts, to help members make a difference.

Opportunities to Represent the Sector

CO3, as the association of third sector leaders is often asked to provide representatives to important working groups or advisory groups, which are chosen through open selection. Currently members are represented on Skills for Care and Development, The Reform of Social Work, Central Personal Social Services Advisory Committee and the Western Health and Social Services Board Regional Adult Protection Forum

Timely and Useful Information

Regular email information, helping to keep members informed and updated.

Discounted Services

• Discounted membership of IOD, saving £200 election fee.
• 25% discount of the normal price of the Political Affairs Toolkit and weekly and monthly political briefings from Stratagem. This includes text updates to your phone, as well as subject specific briefings on health, energy etc. 
• The Chief Executive Club at Queen's has kindly offered a special reduced rate membership fee to CO3 members.  CO3 Members can now become a member of the Chief Executive's Club at Queen's at the reduced price of £75 which includes a free Executive Health Assessment at Queens PEC as well as free membership of the Queens Film Theatre (worth £35).  To find out more or if you would like to join the Chief Executive's Club at Queen's  please see the attached document below - CO3 membership Offer. 
• IT Support for members.  For a limited period only AVEC IT are offering a special IT support deal for CO3 members which can be either a Free IT site visit for new clients or 4 hours for the price of 2 for existing AVEC clients. The offer is open until the end of April subject to availability.  To find out more please see the attached document below or contact AVEC  

Free Subscription to Agenda NI

Free subscription to Agenda NI for all members.  This provides one copy of Agenda NI sent directly to members with our compliments and thanks. 

* waived for retired members who volunteer with CO3