Upcoming Events

Join co-ops and societies from across Greater Manchester for an inspiring and informal approach to learning and networking. Following the success of the last Co-op Connections event in Manchester come and be the fresh eyes once more to help colleagues and members break through challenges using the 'Action Learning Sets' format of collaborative coaching at this free event in October. A simple and highly effective framework for networking, we ask attendees to come prepared with a challenge or an issue…

From pubs and farms to launderettes and lidos, communities are creating democratically controlled, viable, and sustainable businesses. According to Power To Change, there are 7,800 community enterprises in England alone, and the Community Shares Unit reports over 500 businesses established using community shares in the last 10 years. As public funding recedes and the charity sector shrinks, community enterprises provide a creative way to address local needs, with democratic control by the community at the heart of what they do.…

We live in a world of increasing inequality, exploitation, and a fixation on growth at all costs. We need new forms of business and there are a growing number of co-operatives that are owned and controlled primarily for the benefit of their workers. This workshop will be a practical journey through the stages of setting up a worker co-op, exploring the different options and decisions you’ll make along the way.

What will the day be about? An interactive exploration of the history and application of the co‑operative enterprise model; the many different types there are and their distinctive features and advantages relative to other models. It will: Outline the opportunities that a co‑operative business model offers community groups and businesses Help groups already looking to start a business or organisation to determine whether the co‑operative option is right for them Help groups identify what further work is needed to do…

The built environment – homes, shops, streets and open spaces – play an important part in our wellbeing and happiness. It has a direct impact on how strong and resourceful communities are. New development can improve our built environment but sometimes it can exclude existing residents from its benefits, and even have a negative impact on the existing community. Communities are not always able to influence new development in their area. Legal public consultation requirements can seem insincere and be…

As the levels of toxic air being registered in our towns and cities increase and the numbers of deaths which are attributed to air pollution grow, there is a clear and perceptual change in mind-set with regard to delivering policies which offer quantifiable solutions across health, energy, urban design and transport.    The National Air Quality News Conference explores some of the issues and the possible solutions to the increasing levels of toxic air in our communities. The conference agenda…

Following the launch of the Prospect and Joseph Rowntree Foundation led report, "All About Towns: Harnessing Hope in Britain's Communities" we are hosting a panel discussion on “Harnessing hope in Britain’s communities” 13th November in London. A generation ago the term “inner cities” was code for life on the wrong side of the tracks. Since then, happily, the metropolis has fought back. It’s not just inner London, but also the hearts of Manchester, Bristol, Leeds and other great English cities…

This year’s #ThisIsTheNorth Convention is in SUNDERLAND!!  As ever, together we will continue to inspire and lead change in the North, and we would love for you to get involved. Our mission is to bring people together for meaningful dialogue, sharing and action - be they community groups, young people, practitioners, policy makers, opinion formers, businesses, or MPs. We believe that by sharing platforms with each other, collaborating in formulating a programme for our day and continuing to work together beyond…