Wednesday-Friday: Co-operative Living

The Co-operative Living exhibition will be a unique and interactive life-size village that shows the flow of co-operation from farming to retailing to education to finance.

Co-operative living workshops are open to everyone and show co-operative alternatives. From banking, to shopping, going out or on holiday, there is always a lifestyle option that is simultaneously a co-operative option.

The aim of the exhibition is to show how to live a more co-operative life. Mark Robinson-Field, the National Co-operative & Membership Manager for the Co-operative Group, who is responsible for Co-operative Living said: “We could not just look at this as the usual conference. This is an exhibition to showcase the amazing contribution co-operatives make to the world. We thought that if it is a showcase of co-operation we needed to show this in a live environment, bringing a range of co-operatives together for participants to explore.”

Mr Robinson-Field also said Co-operative Living is seeking to engage in interactive play areas all telling the story of co-operatives and demonstrating the power and scale of the business model. “We want co-operators to be proud of co-operatives; and for the public to explore what we mean by saying co-operative enterprises build a better world,” he explained.

Many co-operatives have expressed interest in taking part in Co-operative Living. “We have had a great response from co-operatives around the world who want to take part. No matter how big or small, we want co-operatives to come to Manchester to showcase their products. We truly believe that co-operatives can be involved in everything you do and everywhere you move in life. Please talk to us to let us show off your products or props,” said Mark Robinson-Field.

The Co-operative Living exhibition is open at the exchange Hall between 09:00 and 17:00 from Wednesday, 31October until Friday, 2 November.

• To find out more about getting involved with Co-operative Living, visit: www.manchester2012.coop. Or email Joseph Walker, Project Officer at the Co-operative Group [email protected]