Next gathering
The dates for the next gathering will be
November 2026
This gathering will be blended.
This includes the usual digital access for members to all main meetings and workshops relating to agenda items.
In addition new groups and non-members will be able to attend all Intro sessions and workshops online. We will be offering this for the first time, and hope it makes them more accessible for those who find in person gatherings more difficult.
Venue:
Bidston Observatory (BOARC)
More details will be posted a month before the gathering.
Hosts:
Purpose of Gatherings
Radical Routes business – decision-making and discussion, reporting on work done and allocating tasks to do
Introduction to how RR works and how to participate in it
Keeping up with each other’s co-op news – meeting new members, helping with problems, celebrating achievements
Socialising, skill-sharing, inspiring each other – building relationships of trust so we can work together well
Meeting new people and spreading consciousness of radical co-operation as a tool for re-making our world.
Who can come?
Gatherings are open to everyone:
Delegates of member co-ops
Other co-op members, associates and friends who want to participate in the network
People from new or existing co-ops who are interested in joining
Random other visitors or interested people.
What happens there?
Delegates of member co-ops need to attend business meetings on behalf of their co-ops
Anyone at a gathering can attend any meeting
There are workshops (consensus decision-making, facilitation, how to set up a workers co-op), trainings, discussions
at a physical gathering, there are lots of things to do outside meetings: putting up and taking down marquees, hanging out, food prep, kids group, queer space, banner-making, etc.
attending gatherings online, some gatherings offer support for blended access, with business meetings and workshops accessible via online video link and space to socialise on DiscordNew groups should attend the ‘New Groups’ meeting, and new people should attend the introductory sessions
Gatherings are usually quite intense, with lots of people trying to share a lot of information and make lots of decisions in a relatively small amount of time. If you particularly want to communicate with a specific person you don’t know, feel free to ask someone who knows what’s going on for help.
REGISTER HERE:
Use this link to register:
Link will be postedin October
Registration deadline:
5pm November 3rd 2026
It is super important that you register on time so that the right amount of food can be bought and beds can be allocated according to need.
Also, The earlier we know about any access/accommodation needs you have, the easier it is for us to help!
Online Access:
Online access to meetings and workshops:
This gathering will be blended, with digital access to all main meetings and workshops relating to agenda items & all new group intro sessions.
All meeting links can be found on the Team Up calendar, HERE
Online pre-gathering POC huddle:
There will be meet-ups for People of Colour during the Gathering, and there will also be a pre-Gathering POC Huddle (time TBC), on Zoom. If you’re coming to the Gathering and you’re a person of colour, you will be very welcome! You can ask for a link to the online Huddle when you fill out the Gatherings registration form (above). If you’ve already registered, then please ask for a link through the enquiries page.
There will also be an in person huddle at the gathering – see venue information below.
Venue Information
Venue Details:
Arrival Times: .
Accommodation & Park up:
Access information:
Access Concerns:
Please email gatherings@radicalroutes.org.uk if you need any more info around measurements of doors etc , or any other aspect of accessibility. During the gathering if you need any help around accessibility, finding a quiet space, first aid, information about the timetable etc, please come to the Welcome Desk.
Travel Information
By Car:
By Public Transport:
KIDS
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU TELL US IF YOU ARE BRINGING CHILDREN. Please fill out information about children you or your coop are bringing when you register for the gathering.
Please register as early as possible so we can plan appropriate activities. We are very glad that you are bringing children to the gathering and we are looking forward to spending time with them. The kids’ space is run by the Kids Working Group.
We are a voluntary group of people who are members of co-ops within the network.
We will be there for the kids while meetings are on but we ask that you come and supervise the children you are responsible for at lunch and dinner so we can eat too. Kids space does not continue into the evening. We will organise child-friendly food/snacks. Food & snacks will be kid friendly & vegan.
Please bring clothes for all weathers for your child as we are hoping to go outside!
Kids Group Volunteer Recruitment Procedure
Childcare and kids group Children are very welcome at the gathering and will have a great time in RR kids group during meetings. There is a section on the registration form for children, please fill in their details there.
Timetable
SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS
Please see venue information above.
What You Need to bring
What to bring:
Tent/roll mat/bedding
Torch
Suncream/hat
Card for food payment
Cash for bar/cake stall
If you are from a new group (not in a member co-op) and are able to do so, please bring a cash donation to help with the running of gatherings ( suggested donation anything between £5 and £50.)Please bring card payments for meal tickets and cash for bar and cake stall.
Food
Three meals a day plus hot drinks will be provided, and all food will be vegan. It’s best for us if you pay for the whole weekend when you arrive (new groups and individuals who are not members of an RR co-op need to pay for food in advance, details will be emailed when registrations are received). Card payment for meals is hugely preferred please! If arriving Thursday evening for budget setting, food will be £30 per person for the weekend. If arriving Friday evening, it will be £20 for the weekend. Alternatively if you’re only having a couple of meals they can be paid for individually at £3.50/meal hot drinks are included.
Kids eat free. If you have any special requirements ie. gluten free, nut free please state on the registration form.
Please make sure you tell us ASAP if you have additional dietary requirements on the registration form. If you tell us after the 4th May we can’t guarantee to provide what you need.
Entertainment
NEW GRoups and People
If you’re new to Radical Routes (whether you’re a new member in an existing co-op or you’re a new co-op looking at Radical Routes), there is a series of workshops designed to introduce you to the workings of Radical Routes and Co-ops in general. They’re informative, exciting and essential! If you’re from a new group, it’s essential that you register your presence with Co-op Support Group by attending the New Groups meeting. This is so that they can confirm you have attended the gatherings as required, arrange joining visits and generally keep you on track.
DONATIONS
If you’re attending as a new group/non-member co-op/interested
individual, we would be grateful for a donation if you can afford it, to help cover the costs of putting on a gathering – suggested donation from £5 to £50 per person. We don’t want this to be prohibitive and it is absolutely not compulsory if you’re not in a financial position to do so. There will be a cash collection tin on the Welcome Desk for this.
PoC HUDDLE
Look for the PoC Welcome, Friday evening.
There will be a Saturday lunchtime PoC Huddle, to which all people of colour are welcome. To avoid the lunch queue eating into our time together, if you are a person of colour and would like to come to the Huddle, please sign up by 10am Saturday at the welcome Desk, and we will try to get lunch delivered to us! For more info about the Huddle, please call Mil (Walden Pond) on 07980 748 555.
DOGS
Strictly no Dogs Unless they are Service Dogs. Sorry we love them furry things too.
Other info
Please come and see us at the welcome desk if you can facilitate, co-facilitate or minute take for meetings or workshops – there will be a sign up sheet.
There will also be a sign up sheet for help needed in the kitchen, washing up rota etc
If you would like a buddy to help you navigate the gathering come and see us at the welcome desk. If it’s your first gathering it can be a lot to take in, but there’s a lot of friendly folk around who’ll be happy to help.
SEND US YOUR WORKSHOP/ SKILLSHARE/ DISCUSSION IDEAS! It’s a really good idea to timetable them. Gatherings@RadicalRoutes.org.uk
Any other questions? Please email enquiries@radicalroutes.org.uk