Shackled with the legacy of national debt, an increasingly rickety property ladder and an uncertain future shaped by climate change, it’s a challenging time to be a young person in Britain.
Following a survey to help shape The Co-operative’s Community Plan, over 50,000 members agreed that young people deserve our support. So, we’re opening up ways for young people to change their world for the better, through co-operative education, opportunities and campaigning.
Our values and principles
As a co-operative, we’re led by our values and principles, which include a commitment to education. We’re supporting a growing network of Co-operative Schools, and are helping young people to discover a passion for the environment, through The Co-operative Green Schools.
From gaining qualifications, experience and self-belief, to bringing about change in their communities, we’re offering opportunities for young people to make tangible differences to their lives. For example, Truth About Youth, 
The Co-operative Foundation's new grants programme, is funding charitable projects across the UK that enable young people to challenge and change negative perceptions.
Given the chance, young people have the creativity and vision to affect tremendous change. So, we’re involving them with all of our campaigns and supporting their call to lower the voting age to 16.
While our work will directly benefit over 250,000 young people across the UK, we’ve set our sights far higher. In fact, our vision is to help bring about a cultural shift in the way that young people are viewed and treated in this country. To find out more, visit: www.co-operative.coop/youngpeople