Devolution must be about more than moving power from Westminster to regional government. It must also enable communities to shape the places where they live.
The cooperative movement, trade unions and friendly societies weren’t simply movements demanding change from government. They were ordinary people coming together to identify problems, develop ideas, pool resources and create institutions that could improve their lives.
This Friday, 6 November, we’re bringing people together at the Working Class Movement Library in Salford for a Town Hall conversation on Rebuilding Britain’s Social Fabric.
Our aim is to draw on the collective experience and ideas in the room to produce A Bulletin for Burnham, exploring how devolution can genuinely empower communities.
Part 1 – Evidence and experience
We’ll screen the powerful documentary Left Behind, followed by a discussion with people rebuilding collective community capability through:
- Maker World – creating spaces for participation, creativity and belonging.
- Rossendale Valley Energy – demonstrating the power of collective ownership and community energy.
- Middleton Cooperating – developing a place-based approach to community-led change.
Part 2 – Town Hall discussion
We want everyone to contribute to four questions:
- What have we lost? What institutions, relationships and capabilities once enabled communities to organise and represent their interests?
- What still works? Where are communities successfully creating change, and why?
- What needs to change? What would enable grassroots organisations and community institutions to flourish?
- What should Burnham champion? How can devolution give communities genuine power to shape their own futures?
The discussion will inform our Bulletin for Burnham, bringing together practical ideas and recommendations from those working in and alongside communities.
Devolution isn’t simply about transferring power to Greater Manchester. It’s about ensuring that power reaches the people of Middleton, Rochdale, Huddersfield, Rossendale, Salford and beyond.
Friday 6th November 11am–2pm
Working Class Movement Library, Salford
I hope you can join us and be part of the conversation.