The UK Co‑op Fortnight (22 June- 5 July) starts today, taking the theme ‘Co‑operate and we can change the world’.
The campaign slogan is taken from This Beautiful Idea, a poem written and performed by Tony Walsh, originally commissioned by Rochdale Literature and Ideas Festival and now re-written for the wider co-op movement, with a performance by the poet at the recent Co-op Congress.
Co-operatives UK has produced a suite of graphics for use online, with ‘empty belly’ versions that can be adapted with images of a co‑operative and the work it does.
If a co-op needs help adapting its graphics, it should send a photo to Co-operatives UK with and their co-op name to [email protected], and the apex will send a personalised graphic.
Throughout the Fortnight, Co-operatives UK says it will be “encouraging our members and the wider co‑operative movement to share why they’re proud to be a co‑op”.
This could include the ways co‑operatives support and strengthen their communities, how they improve the lives of members, employees, customers or clients, and examples of how co‑operative principles are creating fairer, more empowering places to live and work.
When sharing your stories on social media, co-ops should use – and follow – the hashtag #CoopFortnight, tag @CooperativesUK in their posts and follow Co-operatives UK its channels channels – Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Bluesky | TikTok | X
Members are also being encouraged by Co-operatives UK to share the induction film Co-operatives: Owned by our Members.
The apex will also send details of International Coops Day on 4 July, organised by the International Cooperative Alliance, and will spotlight some of its members throughout Co-op Fortnight.
