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  • What we do
  1. About us
  2. What we do

What we do

What the Museum does Image of Museum Outreach staff and local gardening group on Toad Lane Allotments, Rochdale.

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.

The Co-operative movement stands not just for solidarity, but action for positive change regarding the way we represent the colonial history of UK Co-ops and the experiences of Black and People of Colour as well as those in minority groups, cultures or populations. We seek to represent diversity in our board, staff and volunteer base which is part of our policy and decision making as a charity.

 *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.

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

What the Archive does Image of a hand written page from the 1844 minute book of the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society.

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

Our Website's Donation Terms and Conditions can be found here: introductiontochtwebsitetermsandconditions.pdf

Our privacy policy (covering data protection) is here: CHT_Privacy_Policy_for_GDPR.pdf

Published: 14th May, 2019

Updated: 10th March, 2022

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    Search the Archive

    Search our collections online via the Archives Hub. Contact us by email or telephone for assistance and to make an appointment.

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  • Governance

    The Co-operative Heritage Trust is an independent charity registered 1121610. It is run by a board of trustees for the continuance of the trust's mission to share the heritage of the co-operative movement in the UK for the benefit of society.

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    We are an independent charitable trust which manages the Rochdale Pioneers Museum and National Co-operative Archive in Manchester.

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    Jobs and volunteering -

    Job opportunities and information about volunteering with us.

  • Visit the archive

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    We are based at Holyoake House in central Manchester. Visits must be booked in advance Contact us at [email protected]

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31 Toad Lane
Rochdale
OL12 0NU

+44 (0)1706 524920

[email protected]

[email protected]

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The Co-operative Heritage Trust CIO is a registered charity. Charity no. 1179727