Olivier Award-winning actor and The Traitors star Julie Hesmondhalgh to headline Co-op Congress 2026

Fresh from winning a Laurence Olivier Award for her performance in Punch, actor and campaigner Julie Hesmondhalgh will be one of the headline speakers at Co-op Congress 2026 this month, ahead of her appearance in the next series of The Traitors.

The much-loved performer, known to millions for her roles in Mr Bates v The Post Office, Broadchurch, Happy Valley, and Coronation Street, will join communities, campaigners, creatives and co-operative leaders from across the UK in Birmingham for the two-day gathering celebrating the power of collective action. 

Julie will speak about the successful campaign to save Oldham Coliseum Theatre through community ownership, exploring how a grassroots movement can protect cultural spaces and keep them rooted in the communities they serve. 

Organised by Co-operatives UK, Co-op Congress takes place on Friday, June 12 and Saturday June 13 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.  

It will bring together people from across the UK’s co-operative movement, including community organisers, social entrepreneurs, young activists, artists and worker-owned businesses. 

This year’s theme, 'Co-operate, and we can change the world', reflects the growing belief that businesses and organisations should work for people and communities, not simply profit. The theme words lifted from world-renowned poet Tony Walsh’s poem This Beautiful Idea - originally commissioned by Rochdale Literature and Ideas Festival - which captures the spirit of co-operation at a time when communities, businesses and institutions are looking for fairer, more inclusive ways to grow and thrive.  

Tony is opening Congress with a special performance of This Beautiful Idea on Friday, June 12, which will be followed by the first panel featuring Tony along with Julie and other guests, Martina Murphy (Chief Executive, Oldham Coliseum Theatre) and Lisa Trickett (Kings Heath Community Centre, Birmingham). 

Co-operatives UK has commissioned additional lines for the poem, which will be included in both the performance and a video to be released. Tony said: “I’m delighted that my poem has found a home with Co‑operatives UK and excited to be sharing it with members at this year’s Co‑op Congress.  

"The poem is a stirring rallying cry for all modern co‑op members which reminds us of the movement’s founding principles and the enduring spirit of The Rochdale Pioneers. 

“As a teenager I worked in a Norwest Pioneers Co‑op store for several years and I’m a proud member of a local food co‑op too. Themes of community, place and the world‑changing potential of ordinary people are prevalent in my work and I’m sure that we can summon up that spirit together on June 12.” 

With roots stretching back to the Rochdale Pioneers of 1844, the co-operative movement was built on a simple but radical idea: that people achieve more when they work together. More than 180 years later, co-operatives continue to thrive across an extraordinary range of sectors - from food and farming to housing, renewable energy, sports clubs, social care, pubs, tech, creative industries (music and the arts) and ethical technology.  

Rose Marley, CEO of Co-operatives UK, said: “Co-op Congress is about hope, ideas and action. It’s where people come together to share solutions, build connections and show that a different way of doing business is possible. 

“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Julie Hesmondhalgh to this year’s Congress. She’s a passionate advocate for communities, culture and collective action, and perfectly captures the spirit of what this movement is all about.” 

Julie Hesmondhalgh said: “The campaign to save Oldham Coliseum showed what can happen when a community refuses to give up on something it loves. It was a reminder that passion, persistence and people power really can make change happen. When people organise, connect and act together, they can protect the places that matter to them and build something stronger. 

“That’s why I’m really pleased to be part of Co-op Congress. These are exactly the conversations we need to be having, especially at a time when so many communities are asking how they can have more of a say in the decisions that affect them.” 

Alongside Julie, this year’s speaker line-up includes the Mayor of West Midlands Combined Authority Richard Parker, climate journalist Maeve Campbell, broadcaster Amber Sandhu, Chief Operating Officer, The Co-operative Bank’s COO Maria Cearns, plus speakers from a variety of organisations including Community Energy England and Birmingham City Council. 

Andrea Melville, CEO of The Co-operative Bank, said: “We work with co-operatives and community organisations every day and we see first-hand the difference they make and the valuable role they play in supporting stronger communities and more sustainable growth. Congress brings together the people and ideas driving that progress, and we’re proud to support it once again as sponsor. For us, it’s about turning values into action and championing purposeful businesses - helping communities, organisations and customers build something that lasts.” 

This year’s Congress programme will feature talks, workshops, performances and discussions exploring topics including community ownership, climate action, ethical business, youth participation and the future of work. Congress will also spotlight younger voices within the movement, with dedicated youth sessions and affordable ticket options aimed at making the event as open and accessible as possible. 

The 'Co-operate, and we can change the world' theme will continue throughout Co-op Fortnight from Monday 22 June to Sunday 5 July when hundreds of co‑operatives and community organisations take part by sharing stories, hosting events and engaging their members and communities. 

Further information on Co-op Congress 2026 and Co-op Fortnight, plus tickets for Co-op Congress 2026 can be found here.