Worker Co-op Weekend 2025

Once again made possible by the generous support of DotCooperation!

Thornbridge Outdoors, Peak District
16-18 May

Our theme this year is about building power through mutual learning and coalition. Worker cooperation is not just a way to improve the everyday lives of workers. Co-ops can strengthen the wider movement for social, economic and climate justice. In the process, we are building the infrastructure for goods and services that underpins a different kind of society. 

We'll be sending out more information about programmed speakers and activities in the next weeks, but in the meantime, here's a taster: 

Stream 1: Building stronger co-ops 

• Skill-shares from experts on Finance, HR, Governance and Marketing 
• Givers Gain business referrals
• Industry networking in specific sectors
• ‘Talent match' internship programme funded by Loughborough University

Stream 2: Building a movement 

• Growing worker power: Strategies for food justice
• Please don’t stop the music: Worker control in the fight for venues
• Platform co-ops: Lessons from Argentina for the UK
• Going green: Worker Ownership in the ‘Just Transition’
• 250 years of struggle: A political history of Worker Coops 

Stream 3: Less work, more play!

• Bike Repair, cooking, somatic exercise and printing workshops 
• Wild-swimming and walking the beautiful Monsal Trail
• Saturday night party with raffle and dancing
• Bonfire!

Little Cooperators Kids Programme

For ages 3+ and run by a team of professional childminders. 

• Creative Corner (t-shirt printing and zine making)
• Nature Explorers (den-building, scavenger hunts, forest trail)
• Fireside fun (marshmallow roasting, songs and storytelling)
• Coop challenges! (fun games that involve working together)

Practical info:

Start and end times: Arrival is 18:00 on the Friday 16th (but not before due to not being allowed on site), for pitching tents and an evening meal. The programme ends Sunday 18th afternoon. Leaving site latest 16.00 Sunday.

Tickets: Places are limited so book your ticket now! (Private teepees have already sold out.) Member prices for the full weekend start at £80 with all meals included. Kids attend free of charge.

Accommodation: Options include camping, shared teepees or dormitories. For the dormitories, bedding but not towels are provided. For teepees and camping, please bring your own bedding!  

Catering: Veggies Coop are again doing delicious meals from Friday dinner until Sunday lunch. If you're a co-op who can bring snacks and food, please get in touch!

Transport: The nearest station is Grindleford, or Great Longstone by bus. There are free minibuses from London and Sheffield but spots are running out so email mira@workers.coop to book a space. Get in touch with Green City if coming from Scotland for transport sharing.

See here for more detail on getting to Thornbridge Outdoors.

Fundraiser

We would like to run a fundraiser through the bar or raffle. If you have a worker co-op, a project, or a solidarity initiative you'd like to raise money for you're welcome to use this opportunity and propose this as the workers.coop fundraiser this year. Last year, a kind member donated cider/beer and the proceeds went to Yalla Co-op's Gaza co-op solidarity fundraiser.

You're welcome to do this through running the bar, or proposing what bar or raffle money goes toward. Or, you can come and do a bake sale or sell some other co-op merchandise.

Thanks again for the generous support of DotCooperation!