Cooperation Hull - Top 8 tips for starting a community powered group of ACTionists
Cooperation Hull is pioneering a grassroots movement that embodies the very essence of ACTionism - the belief that ordinary people have the power to create extraordinary change when they come together with purpose.
Through their innovative People's Assemblies, they're replacing traditional party politics with people power, bringing together teachers, shopkeepers, doctors, and community members to develop their own solutions to local challenges.
What makes Hull particularly exciting is its already thriving ecosystem of community organisations - from housing co-ops to tool-sharing libraries and bike delivery cooperatives - proving that when people recognise their collective agency, transformation becomes not just possible, but inevitable.
Their approach demonstrates that real change happens when communities are empowered to participate directly in decisions that affect their lives, creating inclusive platforms where every voice is heard and transparency is paramount.
This is ACTionism in action - showing that we don't need to wait for permission to build the world we want to see.
We came across this Reel the team made this week with their key observations on what it takes to do this kind of work - and we thought the advice was nothing short of perfect! You can follow the Cooperation Hull team on IG here.
Key Takeaways:
- Show up consistently - No one can tell you exactly how you'll fit in or what your exact role will be; sometimes you just need to show up and keep showing up
- Remind yourself daily of your purpose - Every day you'll need to remind yourself why you're here and that it's possible to change the world, inspiring yourself and each other again and again
- Remember the importance of creativity - It's easy to forget how important art is to us as humans and to our work
- Balance productivity with joy - Meetings are important, but so is silliness, nonsense, and joy
- Build your courage muscle - Challenging power and doing things that scare you is a muscle you need to flex as often as you can
- Find your community - Finding your people makes everything easier and more possible; do the scary things together
- Celebrate each other - Celebrating one and another might feel cringey or unnecessary, but we're humans too and need to feel like we have a place and belong
- Trust the process - Trust the people who show up consistently alongside you.
