Free event takes place on Saturday 11 June 2016 from 10.30am at The Synergy Centre, Brighton. 

Have you dreamed of working without a boss?
Of living without a landlord?
Of having a media system owned and run by us, not by billionaires and corporations?
Of having an energy system which is powered by renewables and owned and run for the benefit of everyone?

We should all have more ownership and control over the different parts of our lives – our housing, our work, our energy, our media, our food, our land, our technology, our democracy and much more.

There are co-operative alternatives to the capitalist and competitive system we live within.

This day of workshops – organised by Mutual Aid in Sussex and Free University Brighton – gives an introduction to some of those co-operative alternatives and gives you a chance to meet many of the people who are making them happen.

It’s also an opportunity for people in co-operatives and social enterprises in the city to come together to get to know each other more and to see how they can help each other – whether it be through advice, contacts or contracts.

Whether you’re completely new to co-operatives and social enterprises, or have years of experience, there will be something for you, including:

• An introduction to working co-operatively and the co-operative movement – Chris Funnell (Founder member of the Co-operative Assistance Network)
• How to set up a workers’ co-op? – Cath Muller (Radical Routes, Footprint Workers Co-operative, co-author of ‘How to Set Up a Workers’ Co-operative’)
• How to set up a housing co-op? – Helen Russell (Co-operative Housing in Brighton & Hove)
• How to fund your co-op ideas and turn them into reality – a panel of experts – Sebastian Handelman (East Sussex Credit Union), Will Cottrell (Brighton Energy Co-op), Fiona Ras (The Platform – formerly Care Co-ops), Ali Cannell (Skylark Housing Co-op, The Cowley Club)
• What happens when it all goes wrong? How to resolve conflicts – Kate Whittle (Cooperantics, author of series of guides ‘from conflict to co-operation‘)
• A session for existing co-ops & social enterprises to get together to introduce themselves, ask questions and see if they can help each other out or gain contracts – facilitated by Helen Dixon (South Downs Eco Housing Co-op)
• Building your organisational values, your collective learning, your people, your connection with the community and your customers – it isn’t all about business plans! – Mike Aiken (Co-operatives & civil society researcher, Co-ops Research Unit, Open University)
• Drop in advice, stalls and much more.
• Food and drink from local co-ops – Hail Seitan! and Bartleby’s brewery.

The full schedule is available here.

We want a world where ownership, decisions and profits are shared, rather than being in the hands of the rich and powerful (the 1%). A world where people co-operate and work together to make this happen. Come and join us to find out how to make it happen.

Cooperative Alternatives at the Synergy Centre 78 West Street, Brighton, BN1 2RA
Saturday 11 June 20116, 10.30am – 7pm. After party from 7pm with great food and drinks from local workers’ co-ops as well as entertainment.

FREE entry. Donations welcome on the day

Event also supported by Lush and the Worker Co-op Solidarity Fund