We need your help to preserve the history of the Co-op Movement

Why do we need your help now?

Our Trust was created in 2007 with an endowment fund to ensure a future for the historic objects and documents as well as preserve the first successful co-op society store, belonging to the Rochdale Pioneers at 31 Toad Lane.

Twenty Eight working class people were able to start a venture that changed lives for the better and the global movement is their legacy.

Uncertainty in financial markets since 2020 means that our endowment fund is no longer enough to sustain the work we need to do, and we need your help. Our future is by no means certain and once our heritage is lost, it can never be revived.

Giving an unrestricted donation or a regular income to the Trust helps to ensure that the charity is able to meet its objectives and continue to be a place of connection to the co-op movement for all those who believe in the ‘Rochdale Principles’ and use them for the benefit of their members today.

We need to be able to grow space for our expanding archive, continue to maintain historic assets and make sure we can interact with audiences wherever they may be.

We receive no government funding, and although we are supported by some UK retail co-ops, these corporate donations are not enough to ensure our survival.

Our shared global heritage can only be secured by bridging the funding gap in our investments.

This was the original society open to everyone, regardless of means, status or identity – donate to our endowment fund today to make a difference. Contact us below for more information.

Leaving us a gift in your will (for individuals)

It is easy to leave a gift and there is no legal commitment. In fact we don't need to know in advance about your plans; one of the reasons it is so helpful to us is that legacies are unrestricted and we can use them to support all sorts of activities from working with new audiences to looking after fragile items or being able to house any new collections we are offered.

If you are looking to include our charity in your will, an example might look like this 

" I leave specified amount / asset /proportion of my estate to the Co-operative Heritage Trust CIO of Holyoake House, Hanover Street Manchester M600AS (registered 1179727 England and Wales), absolutely for its general charitable purposes and I declare that the receipt of the Director or other proper officer shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors."

If you are an executor and need our help - you can contact the Trust Manager [email protected] or the Board of Trustees [email protected] to support your enquiry.

How your business can benefit from supporting us

* Your staff and members can volunteer for us on charity days and learn more about the history of the movement.

*You can hold fundraising events with us or make us part of your campaigns.

*Doing things in support of the movement shows members that co-ops do things differently.

*We can take your historic records if we can make space to house them.

 Introduction_to_CHT_website_terms_and_conditions.pdf