Black Lives Matter - A statement of Intent 

Since May 2020 many cultural institutions in the UK have made statements of solidarity with the global movement #BlackLivesMatter.

The Co-operative movement stands not just for solidarity, but action for positive change and as such the Co-operative Heritage Trust will undertake to take the following steps in line with recommendations made by the Culture& Charter of Recommendations:

• Decolonialise the narrative of the history of UK co-ops and fully explain or contextualise images or       objects associated with colonialism; the slave trade* or the experiences of Black and other communities   (BAME people) within the co-operative sector.
• Edit and remove offensive words or descriptions of Black people within the sources and materials available to the public.
• Be accountable to funders and supporters in dealing with unconscious bias and ensure that recruitment policies promote staff and members of the Trustee board are representative of the diversity of the UK population.
• Devise programmes with BAME people which appeal to audiences as well as those which address racism, prejudice and social exclusion in the context of our charitable objectives.
• Take steps to protect the mental health and wellbeing of BAME workforce, freelancers and volunteers including around the disproportionate risks associated with Covid-19.

 *CHT collections do not include items which might be subject to restitution or repatriation (objects collected by force or cultural appropriation) and such objects are excluded from both our archival and museum collecting policies.

What the Museum does 

Rochdale Pioneers museum is free to the general public. 

We collect objects which help to tell the story of the UK movement and accept donations from the public according to our policies and storage.

The Rochdale Pioneers were committed to education for people to help themselves. We host public events and workshops for a range of audiences, ages and interests.

You can find out more about how to support us here: Donate

What the Archive does 

Based in Manchester's Co-operative Quarter, we hold a wide range of records and media relating to the development of the movement in the UK. 

We are able to offer advice to co-operatives about how to take care of records they hold and continue to collect contemporary materials which will be of value to researchers in the future. 

We  need to digitise more of our collections - to help us with this, you can contribute to our conservation appeal here: Donate