National Youth Summit
The National Youth Summit takes on Saturday 5 July 2025. It brings together young people from across the UK – and the world – who want to work together to build a fairer future.
The National Youth Summit is a FREE event for young people who want to work together to build a fairer future.
Whether you're already part of a co-operative, just curious about how they work, or care about issues like climate justice, decent jobs and community power – this event’s for you.
🗓 Saturday 5 July
📍 Rochdale Town Hall
⏰ 9.30am–5pm
🎉 Proudly sponsored by The Co-operative Bank
You’ll hear from inspiring speakers, get stuck into hands-on sessions and meet loads of other young people – from co-operatives and beyond. It’s your chance to connect, learn and explore how co-operation can give you the tools to make change – in your work, your community and the wider world.
Bookings are closed
Thank you very much for your interest in our National Youth Summit: the event is now fully booked. If you are keen to be involved with the work we do at Co-operatives UK and would like to hear more about future opportunities and events, please email [email protected].
What to expect?
The National Youth Summit will cover lots of important issues with brilliant speakers.
National Youth Summit host announced
Our host for the day is Sile Sibanda. Sile is a BBC presenter, spoken word artist and creative producer with 15+ years’ experience, known for bringing stories to life on stage and air.
Main room sessions
Unity in Community (1 hour)
Hear from inspiring people about the 'lightbulb moment' that sparked their journey into the world of community projects and co-operatives. From joining an existing co-op to starting something completely new, this session showcases the creativity and impact that co-ops and alternative working structures can offer.
Speakers include
- Perry Blake, 21UP Movement
- Anthony Scott, Kitty's Launderette
- May Armstrong, Glasgow Student Housing/Student Co-op Homes
- Lottie Pendlebury, Sister Midnight and Goat Girl
Roundtable Talk-Shop: explore your sector (1 hour)
This interactive session is all about bringing your interests to the table – literally. Join small group discussions hosted by people working in areas you care about. Together, you’ll dive into challenges and explore fresh ideas for a better future on areas including tech, arts and culture and housing.
Table hosts include
- Housing - Simin Wadiwala, Radical Routes and Sahar Alhakkak-Martinez, Cwmpas
- Tech and Digital - Natasha Natarajan, SPACE4 and Outlandish, Danny Scott, Jarrow Insights and Isabel Mallia, MediaCoop Malta
- Arts and Music - Lydia Rosen, Allies Art Club and Lottie Pendlebury, Sister Midnight
- Science and Energy - Nadia Smith, South London Community Energy and Alister Francis, Asterisk Labs
- Journalism - Anja Jungmayr, Manchester Meteor and Alice Toomer-McAlpin, Co-op News
- Community Projects - Roukagia Afan, Young Manchester/Muslim Northern Women and Anthony Scott, Kitty's Launderette
- Finance: Rob Morrissey, Credit Union and Ala Ghaderi, Co-op Bank
Lunchtime networking: Making Connections (1 hour)
Throughout the day you will hear from brilliant people with a range of experiences and passions. This session is your opportunity to connect, ask questions and explore opportunities for the future. Further announcement to follow.
Work That Works for You (1 hour)
There are over 7,000 co-operatives in the UK – from high street shops to creative studios and music venues. This offers loads of opportunities to work for businesses that are fair, ethical and put people first. In this session, you’ll hear from young people already working in co-ops and explore how you can get involved – whether through jobs, apprenticeships or even having an influence at board level.
Speakers include
- Lois McClure, Co-op Group and Co-operatives UK board
- Nadia Smith, South East London Community Energy
- Harry Jerome, Coalville Can and Co-operatives UK Youth Advisory Group
- Ala Ghaderi, Co-op Bank
The Future of Co-operatives: Pioneered by Youth (1 hour)
180 years ago in Rochdale, 28 working class pioneers founded the first modern co-operative – and half of them were under 30. From the very beginning, young people have played a crucial role in driving social change through co-operation.
In this closing session, we’ll reflect on that legacy and ask: how can today’s movement ensure that young people have a meaningful voice in shaping what comes next? We’ll explore how youth leadership, influence and participation can help the co-operative movement stay relevant, representative and ready for the future. Further announcement to follow.
Side-room Sessions
Session 1: Start Something Different: The Co-operative Way (1 hour)
With Dane Pollard and Rhys Evans (Co-operatives UK)
From an idea to co-operation - come and explore the co-operative options and understand the practical steps to starting your own co-op.
Session 2: Funding Workshop (1 hour)
With Alice Wharton and John Dawson (Co-operatives UK)
Ready to start thinking about money? Come and find out more about how the funders think: go under the bonnet on the do's and don'ts of funding applications, learn more about successful case studies and ask any of the burning questions you might have.
Session 3: Allies Art Club: Cut, Paste and Co-operate (1 hour)
With Lydia Rosen (Co-operatives UK's Youth Advisory Group)
Join Allie's Art Club at the National Youth Summit for a relaxed, drop-in collage workshop where we'll be exploring co-operative ways of working, organising and relating. We'll have a range of arts and crafts supplies and prompts to get creative and think about what it means to co-operate and how you can be part of the co-operative movement.
Bookings are closed
Thank you very much for your interest in our National Youth Summit: the event is now fully booked. If you are keen to be involved with the work we do at Co-operatives UK and would like to hear more about future opportunities and events, please email [email protected].
