Do you want help to organise a local co-op meetup in your town or city?
Co-op organisers in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, and Sheffield host regular or semi-regular worker co-op meetups.
These are a good opportunity for P6 business networking, catching up with each others’ highs and lows, and offering and receiving mutual support. They also offer a valuable space for newcomers to learn about worker co-ops or get help setting up.
Having these meetups are really valuable as support for worker co-ops can be hard to find. We’ve found that organising a meetup can offer a supportive space away from business as usual, amongst others who share your values, filling the gap left by the traditional types of formal business support for start-ups from mainstream business hubs. This opportunity for peer learning and mutual aid has really benefited those of us who have run these meetups in other cities, with other activities coming out of these spaces such as co-operators showing solidarity for protests or union struggles.
How can we support?
We can discuss formats and experiences of meetups in other cities - whether it’s a more formal meeting, or a drop-in drink, it could have an agenda or it could be activity based.
We can help logitsically such as helping to find meeting space, or providing a list of nearby worker co-ops to invite
We can share the meetup event details in the Newsletter and on the website which is the best way for many people to see it and come along.
You can apply for some Movement Building budget to cover your time organising a meetup. In the past e.g. under £200 for up to a couple days of time to organise and attend 2 meetups. Reply here or email solidarity@workers.coop if interested.
Just want to say that I am so glad we have a regular co-op meetup event in Glasgow - sometimes it’s a more structured event eg BBQ, film showing, and sometimes it’s just a drink and a chat. But every single time we create deeper relationships, find new info and ideas and have a nice time. Do it!
There could be a lot of value in organising something in Bristol as there’s a fair few co-ops and probably good opportunity for more. I know a couple years ago @Matt Wilson attempted a meetup in Bristol and I think he rang around co-ops including some in Wales nearby.
It’s hard to predict interest so I’d kinda recommend just going for it and seein how it goes. If you chose a date/time/place we can help share it around. It is a bit chicken and egg as its the kind of thing that if it happens and its fun/useful, it will draw more people in so I wouldn’t worry too much if at the beginning not that many people know about it yet to join
You’re part of Essential, right? maybe you can speak t to Cafe Kino & Bristol Bike Co-op as they’re two other members of the fed and see if they’d be up for joining or hosting as I know Cafe Kino have an event space? We can definitely be in touch if that helps but I guess you’re probably already quite linked up with other folk!
[I’m away next Wed- 3 July but when I’m back I’ll check back here or in the meantime Mira @mhall42 is around]
Amazing! I have heard there’s something being organised in London for the international day of co-ops in July, Mira @mhall42 will be able to tell you more. I think focusng on South London makes sense given how big London is and can be more targetted and relevant to ppl who live/work in south london but you might get more workers from existing co-ops if it’s less focused, what do you think?
Do you know of any cheap/free event space or cafe that could be used as a meeting space? I know that Parallax Photographic co-op are in Brixton and have recently moved to a snazzy new building so they might have a room you could ask to use?
Happy for you to tell us how we can help, or set up a call to help organise. @mhall42 Sure Mira will have useful ideas as well
[I am away from next week-first week of July so if I don’t respond immeditely I will check this thread when I’m back]
Heya! Thanks Sam, yes the Day of Cooperation is scheduled for 13th July in Kentish Town. I’ll message you directly about it Nicholas because would be brilliant to have someone from the Therapy Workers Co-op there..
I also think South London meet-up is a really great idea! I know there are some artist studios in SE who are thinking about forming a co-op to take over their building so could involve them. And I haven’t been to Parallax but that also sounds really exciting!! Lets chat about it!
Yes this sounds great!! I’d be up for a call to chat about how to make it happen and as Sam said we can also connect you with other Bristol Co-ops if you’re not already in touch
Is there an existing WhatsApp/Signal group or anything for Bristol Co-op people?
Really love the idea of a film screening/discussion! (particularly in the colder months…) There’s a documentary about the VioME factory takeover in Greece I’d love to organise a screening of in London…
Thanks for this - I’ve put July 5th in my diary so hopefully I can join for something.
Focusing on South London would probably best for our coop and where it is right now, but London generally would probably be the best place to start in terms of this initiative.
Pop Brixton (shipping container venue) have given us free event/meeting space in the past although the last time we requested, they didn’t reply to the email. My local church hall is a venue which would be cheap or even free depending on the weather and need for heating – that is St Giles Church SE5.
I have been to Parallax Photographic co-op in Brixton for some film developing – they were in a big block (right by Pop Brixton) so I will double if it is that or a new location.
I’m afraid due to the work load from setting up our coop, and working, and childcare, that I might need some handholding in the form of a call otherwise it might slip down the list of priorities and never happen. You can let me know when is best for you and I will do my best.
Thanks for this. It is in my diary and I will share details when they are available with the other members of our coop. I’m imagining it is day time and children are welcome, if not I will need to arrange childcare.
Your ideas for the south London meet up would be really helpful, thanks.
