University of Hertfordshire pop-up shop spreads the word about the value of co-operatives
More than 250 people visited the University of Hertfordshire’s pop-up shop in the Galleria last week to enjoy free activities and learn how co-operatives and other community-led initiatives can help in hard times.
The Feeling the Squeeze? event, run by the University in partnership with community organisations as part of this year’s Festival of Social Science, was all about engaging local people in activities and discussions themed around the cost-of-living crisis, focusing on what support is available and what research says individuals, families and communities can do to make their money go further.
Highlights at the Galleria Outlet Shopping Centre event in Hatfield on 30 October included an interactive puzzle exploring the building blocks of co-operatives, a Co-op-led activity with free raffle and prize wheel, free face-painting and photo booth, money-saving tips, and a collaborative hands-on art session.
Reader in Institutional Economics and event organiser Dr Francesca Gagliardi said the event had been a huge success, helping to raise public awareness about co-operatives and other community-led initiatives, and giving partner organisations an opportunity to engage with people about the important work they do.
Dr Gagliardi said:
“So many households are under pressure right now, and I've been convinced for a very long time now that one of the most overlooked answers is also one of the oldest: co-operation.
“Co-operatives show that people pooling resources, sharing decisions and putting members before profit can make everyday life more affordable and more resilient, whilst delivering good, sustainable growth for society at large. That's the conversation we've brought out of the lecture theatre and into a shopping centre, where real people are making real decisions in their everyday lives.”
Dr Gagliardi said feedback from visitors on the day had been exclusively positive and “truly overwhelming”, with many saying it was the first time they had really understood what co-operatives did and how they could help. One visitor said:
"We found this experience very interesting. My children engaged easily and enjoyed it. We did not know much about co-operatives and their principles before and we now think they are great!"
Partners at the one-day event included Co-op Group, Co-operatives UK, Co-operative Councils' Innovation Network (CCIN), South Herts Credit Union and Cooperation Town.
Welcoming the event, policy and development lead at Co-operatives UK James Wright said:
“Raising awareness of co-operatives is essential to offering hope, solutions, and the tools to change things for the better.”
The Festival of Social Science, now in its 25th year, aims to make academic research accessible to the public and share what universities have been working on that could bring about real practical, positive changes for individuals and communities. This year’s festival saw 41 universities organise more than 300 free online, in-person and hybrid events across the UK. University of Hertfordshire events also included activities exploring food in hard times at Westmill Community Centre in Hitchin on 28 October.
The annual Festival of Social Science is funded by the UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which supports world-leading research, data and post-graduate training in economic, behavioural, social and data sciences.