Community Britain: North West

Join us in central Manchester on Saturday 5 September for a day of ideas, inspiration and action. Members, activists and leaders will come together to explore how co-operation can build stronger communities and shape national policy.

*Morning: Ideas, stories & impact

• Our work in Government – hear from Jim McMahon MP, Party Chair and Parliamentary Undersecretary, and Sarah Hall MP on the Co-operative Party’s work across Government since 2024’s General Election and progress on our co-operative and mutual ambitions.
• Community Britain in action – members and community leaders share more on how co-operative values are strengthening communities across the North West, including Bill Lovat (GM Community Housing) and Kath Bromfield of Middleton Co-operating.
• Community Britain in Local Government – updates from from Dan Price – Cheshire Police & Crime Commissioner; Cllr Arooj Shah – Oldham Council; and Cllr Noordad Aziz – Mayor of Hyndburn –  about community ownership, local businesses and the practical challenges of putting co-operation into action.
• Local Power Plan – explore how communities can benefit from the Government’s £1 billion commitment to community energy.

*Afternoon: From ideas to action

• Co-operative business & policy – get the latest from the Co-operative Group with Kate Brown, including insights from the Building resilience through co-operation report on co-operative agriculture.
• Mutual and Co-operative Business Council – Rose Marley, CEO of Co-ops UK, shares key insights from the DBIS Call for Evidence and the co-operative sector’s policy recommendations.
• Equality & inclusion – discover the work of the Co-operative Party’s five Equality Networks with Jennifer Hemingway, Equalities Officer.
• Interactive workshops – Get involved in practical sessions on Community Right to Buy and the 2026 Policy Consultation, helping shape future policy on Local Government and International Development.

Come along, connect and have your say. Help shape the future of Community Britain and make sure the priorities of your community are heard.

Tickets: £15, including buffet lunch and refreshments.

*Programme subject to change.

Register here:

Speakers include

Sarah Hall MP

Labour & Co-operative MP for Warrington South

Arooj Shah

Leader of Oldham Council and Co-operative Party NEC Elected Representatives Rep

Jim McMahon MP

Chair of the Co-operative Party and Labour & Co-operative MP for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton