Community is a proud champion of the five million strong self-employed and freelance community across the UK. We bring together self-employed and freelance workers, giving you a strong collective voice to lobby for much needed changes like an extension of workers rights to protect the self-employed while maintaining that freedom and flexibility you enjoy.
Our self-employed workforce is the hidden backbone of the British economy. The self-employed make up roughly 15% of our workforce and are pivotal to the UK’s fastest growing and most innovative industries such as in science, engineering, healthcare, the arts, entertainment, the media and to the delivery of other important services across the country.
For many people, self-employment is the answer to finding a good work-life balance. It can be extremely rewarding, but it can also mean longer hours, less pay, and more worry about your finances.
We’re using our collective voice to raise up the voices of the self-employed and freelancers, and arguing for better support and provisions. Check out our campaign here. Sign the petition and get involved here.
We also recently ran an inquiry into the future of self-employment in the UK and sponsored a Centre for London report too. You can see the inquiry and the report here.
We have a self-employed steering committee is working together to create a coordinated approach to tackling the big issues that self-employed and freelance workers face. You can learn more about them here.
Being a part of our collective voice
We believe that trade unions are not “also for the self-employed” – they are especially for the self-employed. Throughout the rest of the pandemic and into the recovery, as you fight for the support and rights you deserve, we’ll be by your side every step of the way. Our latest investigation has highlighted that over half of self-employed workers and freelancers were denied financial support during the pandemic. You can find out more here.
Any self-employed person can join our union and be part of the collective voice for the self-employed. Whether you’re self-employed full time or part time, whether you’re a freelancer, sole trader or run as a limited company or a sub-contractor. Whoever you are, whatever your industry and however you work, you’re welcome to join us.
Membership benefits
As a member of Community, you not only have bespoke advice for the self-employed and freelance sector in your corner, you also get access to help with self-assessment tax returns, support with debt recovery and late payments, training and development opportunities, exclusive discounts and offers, legal and financial support for when times get tough and much more.
Find out more about Community and our self-employed and freelancer membership benefits here.
What does it cost?
Whatever your income or the support you need, our rates will work for you. Join today for just £5.94 per month.
We’re fighting for a better working world, and we want you to join us.
Have a question or want more information? Contact us at help@community-tu.org or call us on 0800 389 6332.
“I’d been self-employed for 10 years, and back then I couldn’t see why I would need a union. Since I joined, I have been reassured by regular correspondence from Community and its fight, on our behalf, to secure the Self Employed Income Support Scheme and the continuing fight to recognise those that have fallen through the cracks of the Government’s grant eligibility policy. Now that I have a union that represents me, I understand the strength in bringing people with shared experiences together, to change things for the better. ”
© Community Trade Union 2023