Peter Marks: We know that young people can be inspirational. We believe that they deserve the chance to prove what they’re capable of.
Peter Marks / John Hannah: Our vision is to help bring about a cultural shift in the way that young people are viewed and treated in this country.
John Hannah: We're aiming to enthuse a new generation of active citizens, through co-operative education, creating opportunities and campaigning alongside them.
John Hannah: We’re helping to create a network of Co-operative Trust Schools, where parents, teachers, pupils and the wider community co-operate to put values at the heart of school life.
John Hannah: And at The Co-operative Academies, students will benefit from one-to-one mentoring, work placements and internships. The Co-operative Financial Services is supporting an academy in Manchester while The Co-operative Travel is supporting one in Stoke-on-Trent.
Ashley: Through my Co-operative education I’ve been empowered to campaign for fairness and equality
John Hannah: As part of The Co-operative Green Schools programme, we’ve kitted out 185 schools with renewable energy installations...
John Hannah: ....and helped schools across the UK set up walking buses.
John Hannah: We invite young people to the wind farm on our land in Cambridgeshire.
John Hannah: And our recycling centre in Manchester.
John Hannah: We even invite them to pull on their wellies to visit one of our farms, to find out how their food is grown...
John Hannah: ...because when it comes to creating a real passion for a subject, there’s no better way than hands-on learning.
John Hannah: Young people are also learning about financial literacy with The Co-operative Financial Services, through our Skills4Schools programme.
Callum: Through my co-operative education I’ve become involved in social enterpriseJohn Hannah: And we’re offering opportunities for young people to make real differences to their lives.
John Hannah: Through The Co-operative Foundation’s national programme, Truth about Youth, we’re working with seven charities across the UK, to challenge and change negative perceptions about young people
John Hannah: And now they’re starting to get the recognition they deserve.
Nicholas: Through Truth about Youth I help young people tackle eating disorders and body image
Maryam: Through Truth about Youth I’m challenging negative perceptions about young people
John Hannah: Thanks to our partnership with the charity StreetGames, young people from disadvantaged areas are developing sports coaching and community leadership skills...
Sharon: I am a Co-operative StreetGames Young Volunteer and I coach netball, football, basketball and gymnastics
Charles: I coach football four times a week
John Hannah: Film is a powerful medium to challenge, motivate and inspire. Through The Co-operative British Youth Film Academy, students learn filmmaking from the professionals and at The Co-operative Film Festival they’re given the platform to showcase their creativity.
John Hannah: The Co-operative has always been a force for change, and in recent years we’ve stepped up campaigning to an unprecedented level.
Matthew: I’m campaigning with The Co-operative for the voting age to be lowered to 16...
John Hannah: ....the age at which our members have a say in how The Co- operative is run.
Peter Marks: The Co-operative is really well placed to drive forward initiatives such as these. We don’t answer to stock markets and speculators. Instead we invest our profits back into the business, and in our communities.
Peter Marks: More than 50,000 members took part in a survey to shape our Community Plan. Over 95% told us that young people deserve our support.
Peter Marks: Our work will directly benefit over 250,000 young people across the UK each year.
Peter Marks: We support
Maryam: We challenge
Sharon: We volunteer
Callum: We strive
Ashley: We aspire
Matthew: We campaign
Charles: We can change our world
Sukbir: We can change our world
Nicholas: We can change our world
Matthew: We can change our world
Maryam: We can change our world
John Hannah: Inspiring young people to change their world John Hannah: The Co-operative – good for everyone