Worker Co-op Weekend 2025

Once again made possible by the generous support of DotCooperation!

Thornbridge Outdoors, Peak District

16-18 May

Taking place at Thornbridge outdoors near Sheffield, the Worker Co-op Weekend has a 2 day programme full of peer learning and business networking opportunities. There will be great food, music, camping and campfires as well as indoor accommodation and event spaces, and it's always fun.

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. 

As always, the programme is member-created so thanks to those who are running a session and submitted session suggestions. This year sessions will be roughly grouped into two main themes: building stronger co-ops (co-op suppoort and development) and building a movement. Don't worry if your session doesn't fit perfectly into one of these as they are just guides! Based on feedback from last year for more free time and organised fun, we're running a set of member-led activities such as more bike repair, cooking and printing workshops.

The full programme will be uploaded shortly but please see a taster below:

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! Member prices for the full weekend start at £80 with all meals included. Kids attend free of charge. Members get 20% off ticket prices using the discount code WCW25MEM.

Accommodation: Options include camping, shared teepees or dormitories (private teepees sold out). For the dormitories, bedding is provided. For teepees and camping, please bring your own bedding! Everyone will need to bring their own towels. We unfortunately do not have any spare camping equipment, so please bring everything that you will need. There are shared shower blocks in the Farm House accommodation for all attendees.

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!

Drink: BYOB as usual. We are planning on running a makeshift bar and selling beers also.

Transport: The nearest station is Grindleford, or Great Longstone by bus. There are free minibuses from London and Grindleford train station 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. Here is a thread for lift shares!

Accessibility: Please get in touch if you have accessibility requirements. The site is mostly flat with about 5 steps down to the large grassy area however there is a no-step route as well. There are accessible sleeping spaces, but not very many so make sure to request this as soon as possible. You can read more about accessibility at Thornbridge Outdoors here, where you can download and view maps and photos of the venue and spaces we have booked (Base Camp, Teepees, Woodlands, Farmhouse). 

There will be music in the evening which will stop at a reasonable time (in Base Camp) so if you want the quietest camping spot you can pitch your tent away from Base Camp and the firepits. The site is large so it's easy to get away from activity if you need some quiet time.

Bursaries: There are a number of bursaries offered through Solid Fund up to £100 per person, to cover ticket prices and/or travel. Bursaries are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis and the bursary amount is paid back to the bursary holder after the event (get in touch if you need up front help purchasing tickets). Email solidarity@workers.coop to book a bursary spot.

Young people bursaries: Solid Fund with Young Coopertors Network offer travel bursaries to young people (30 and under) interested in worker cooperation who are keen on participating in UK cooperative events. Application is easy and is first come first serve - find out more here.

Volunteering

From feedback from those involved in organising the Weekender last year, and the fact we have more sessions and a kids' programme, we've decided to offer a few free tickets in exchange for a small amount of volunteers during the Weekend. There are three volunteer roles you can take up: start-up volunteer, close down volunteer, and tech/session volunteer. The start-up and pack-down volunteers will help with setting up or packing down as well as being on hand with helping attendees, answering questions, knowing the programme and where amneties are located, etc. The tech/session volunteers will help with setting up tech for sessions and evening entertainment, and setting up rooms/changover between sessions. We will have a volunteer briefing ahead of the Weekend.

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 member donated drink and the proceeds went to Yalla Co-op's Gaza co-op solidarity fundraiser. 

You're welcome to fundraise 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! .coop is the Internet domain for co-ops around the globe. Join the online home of cooperatives with the .coop and .creditunion domain names.