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Young Cooperators Weekend 2024!

Writer's picture: Connie DuxburyConnie Duxbury

From Friday 24th to Sunday 26th May, our founder and CEO (Connie) went along to the Young Co-operator's Network (YCN) weekend up in the gorgeous Bidston Observatory, Liverpool. Read on to hear all about the action-packed weekend! Jump straight to the video here.


A tall tower with a dome at the top, two large windows. It's made of stone.
One of the domes in the observatory!

"After a very smooth journey from Croydon to Birkenhead North, I arrived at 4pm on Friday. I was blown away at where I would be spending the next few days - Bidston Observatory Artistic Research Centre! After setting up my bed and settling it, I started to meet the other young co-operators from all over the UK. They were 18-30 year olds, either wanting to be part of the co-operative world, or already involved with a co-op, for example Edinburgh Student Housing Co-op or Third Sector Accountancy.


Next, I mucked in and helped prepare our first night's dinner for around 30 of us - something I'd never done before. Luckily the tomato chickpea curry turned out well, and we had a relaxed evening getting to know each other and be introduced to the agenda for the weekend.


On Saturday morning, after a hearty breakfast, we had our first group activity. It was an ice-breaker, in which we all wandered round to music, and when the music stopped, we introduced ourselves to someone and shared what we thought a co-operative was. It was really interesting to hear so many different views!


Then we had our first big workshop in the basement, which started off with the history of the YCN. We learned that the YCN goes back to 2012 where a new co-op (AltGen), who’s founders Constance Laisné and Rhiannon Colvin dedicated themselves to challenging and addressing the structure and culture of work for young people in the post-crash economy through the creation of worker co-ops. In 2014 AltGen partnered with Co-operatives UK to launch the Young Co-operators’ Prize (YCP). The aim of the YCP was to inspire and support a new generation to set up worker co-operatives as a solution to youth unemployment. Five young co-ops would be selected to receive a £2,000 grant plus a training weekend away nested in the Worker Co-op Weekend in Oxfordshire.


After splitting into groups, we thought about how individuals might benefits from joining the YCN (e.g. experience & knowledge sharing, friendship, funding opportunities, jobs, link to alumni, find yourself in the movement.) We then discussed why an organisation would want to support the network (e.g. sponsorship, hope, wider network, spreading co-op concept/adopting principles, joined up voices.) Finally, it was "YCN vs. the world" and we had ideas for the future of the network, such as:


  • Working with the trade union movement

  • Having co-op ambassadors

  • Connecting with coops across the world

  • Having an online & offline network

  • Ensuring accessibility & inclusivity are top priorities

  • Be outwards facing

  • Lobbying as one voice

  • Being a safe space

  • Addressing racial imbalance in the co-operative world

  • Promoting young people's visions

Two women and a man talking
Connie with Jess and Caleb, planning a video!

After lunch, we then had a choice of workshops to attend. I went along to learn about creating videos to promote awareness of coops, led by Caleb Elliot from Ctrl Shift TV, where we were tasked with planning a video and storyboard. We had to consider our target audience, format, length, style and the call to action - this was a fantastic workshop!


Another break/dance session later and it was my turn to facilitate a workshop. I was using the Energy Citizen Empowerment kit to guide a discussion around the barriers to people getting involved with the community energy sector, focussing on variables of ethnicity, gender, socio-economic background and housing situation. It was a lively session and I will be feeding back the responses as part of the Government's 'Barriers to community energy' consultation.


People standing on the roof with a blue sky in the background
Drinks on the roof!

The latter part of the day was filled with reflections, sunshine on the rooftop, a few glasses of wine and party games in the basement! I even dabbled with trying to DJ in the observatory's studio - but I won't quit my day job anytime soon...


It was just a lovely way to round off a fulfilling day of learning, with other like-minded young people.



A woman leaning over a table writing ideas down on paper
Final brainstorming on Sunday morning

On Sunday morning, we gathered one last time to share hope for the future, and map out what would bring energy to, sustain energy in and drain energy from the YCN. We discussed opportunities for roles and made sure we all swapped contact details so we could stay in touch with our new found comrades!


It was a truly wonderful experience and I'm so lucky that I had the chance to go, especially as I'm only just under 30..!


Special thanks to the supporters - Suma Wholefoods, Scotmid, Co-operatives UK, Central Coop, SolidFund, and Funding for Social Change - for providing the funding to make the weekend happen!"


A group of people standing in front of some trees
The YCN gang 2024!

Watch the video now to learn even more about the weekend:




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©2024 by Croydon Community Energy. Croydon Community Energy is the trading name of Croydon Community Energy Ltd which is registered as a Community Benefit Society under the Co-operatives and Community Benefit Society Act 2014 (Society number 8759). It operates in accordance with the seven co-operative principles agreed by the International Co-operative Alliance.

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