Speaker: Patrick Nicholson

About: Radical Routes

Radical Routes (RR) decentralised network of co-ops that make up a Secondary Co-op: primary co-ops make up members of the secondary, and the secondary which provides them with support services. Secondaries were a big thing in 70s, vanished in the 80s due to the change in government focus. RR unique as an independent secondary co-op, which provides these services: Lends money, top-up loans for housing co-ops to buy houses; Mediation and training; Integration a way of getting good ideas. Promoting the ideal of co-ops, lobbying for changes in law, getting new members, raising money. Separate entity called Rootstock to raise money from outside the co-op. Quarterly gatherings of all the co-ops: consensus approach, rotate around the country, Not many RR co-ops in London, due to high property costs. Members of RR co-op are expected to volunteer to do jobs for RR . There is a Financial administrator paid for by the co-ops.

What are RR co-ops doing in terms of Art/ Media/ Design?: Produce a range of booklets on how to set up a co-op (workers, land, housing) and how to measuring your ecological footprint, all done through voluntary work for RR. Another Art Media angle: my own co-op in Hastings, 1 member is an artist; before that she did not have room to do her work; now in the co-op for the last 5 years, we can do want we want, control over how to use the space. If you are looking for flexible working solutions: co-op's are great. Interactions with the community: Sumac Centre in Nottingham, café, library, social centre, performance space, Film showings, poetry readings, classes. Another is the Crowley Club. These centres are not creating own little enclaves shut off from society, but broadening the appeal of alternatives to the community. Another group is the Community Collective: free parties, produce own CDs and artwork. RR is explicitly for co-ops involved in social change: direct action, campaigns are supported by individual members.

However, there needs to be a focus on taking control of our work/ employment more: land co-ops are doing great things (forestry, box schemes); urban co-ops not presenting alternatives to normal jobs (exception is Footprint Printing Co-ops, printing for green groups, activists groups, etc). Sum up: Co-ops can let you take control over your lives Allowing us to explore the creative side of our lives.