Award-winning actress Julie Hesmondhalgh will be one of the headline speakers at this year’s Co-op Congress.
The Olivier Award winner and recent star of Mr Bates v The Post Office will take part in the event, which takes place in Birmingham on June 12 and 13.
The event celebrates the power of collective action through co-operative ownership and enterprise.
Ms Hesmondhalgh, who will appear on the upcoming season of The Traitors, will speak about the community campaign to save Oldham Coliseum Theatre through community ownership.
She said: "The campaign to save Oldham Coliseum showed what can happen when a community refuses to give up on something it loves.
"It was a reminder that passion, persistence and people power really can make change happen.
"When people organise, connect and act together, they can protect the places that matter to them and build something stronger.
"That’s why I’m really pleased to be part of Co-op Congress.
"These are exactly the conversations we need to be having, especially at a time when so many communities are asking how they can have more of a say in the decisions that affect them."
This year’s event takes place at The Eastside Rooms and brings together community organisers, social entrepreneurs, artists, and worker-owned businesses from across the country.
Rose Marley, CEO of Co-operatives UK, said: "Co-op Congress is about hope, ideas and action.
"It’s where people come together to share solutions, build connections and show that a different way of doing business is possible.
"We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Julie Hesmondhalgh to this year’s Congress.
"She’s a passionate advocate for communities, culture and collective action, and perfectly captures the spirit of what this movement is all about."
This year’s theme, 'Co-operate, and we can change the world', is inspired by a poem written by poet Tony Walsh.
The poem was originally commissioned for the Rochdale Literature and Ideas Festival and captures the spirit of co-operation and collective action.
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Mr Walsh will open the congress with a live performance of This Beautiful Idea.
The event will also feature panels and talks with speakers including Martina Murphy, chief executive of Oldham Coliseum Theatre; Lisa Trickett of Kings Heath Community Centre; and Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands.
Other speakers include climate journalist Maeve Campbell, broadcaster Amber Sandhu, and Maria Cearns, chief operating officer at The Co-operative Bank.
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