Skip to navigation Skip to secondary navigation Contact us Find us Search here... Global menu More from The Co-operative Products and services Food Bank Insurance Electrical Pharmacy Travel Funeralcare Legal Services Energy Membership Check your points Become a member What is membership? Become a member Apply now Or sign in to your account Main menu Home About us Investors Media Careers Ethics and Sustainability You are here: Home About The Co-operative Group The Co-operative Group Values and Principles An introduction to The Co-operative Group Values Purpose Our businesses Our democracy Our Board Executive Our history Sponsorship Subsidiaries The Co-operative Group Values and Principles At The Co-operative we encourage new ideas to tackle issues that are important to our members – from helping the community to changing the world. Membership is open to everyone as long as they share our values and principles. Our members show these values by working together for everyone’s benefit, and are encouraged to play a full part in the community. Here are our underlying values and principles which influence The Co-operative Membership and the way we run all of our businesses: Our co-operative values Self-help – we help people to help themselves Self-responsibility – we take responsibility for, and answer to our actions Democracy – we give our members a say in the way we run our businesses Equality – no matter how much money a member invests in their share account, they still have one vote Equity – we carry out our business in a way that is fair and unbiased Solidarity – we share interests and common purposes with our members and other co-operatives. Our ethical values Openness – nobody’s perfect, and we won’t hide it when we’re not Honesty – we are honest about what we do and the way we do it Social responsibility – we encourage people to take responsibility for their own community, and work together to improve it Caring for others – we regularly fund charities and local community groups from the profits of our businesses. Our principles are the way we put our values into action Voluntary and open membership – membership is open to everyone Democratic member control – all members have an equal voice in making policies and electing representatives Member economic participation – all profits are controlled democratically by members and for their benefit Autonomy and independence – co-operatives are always independent, even when they enter into agreements with the Government and other organisations Education, training and information – co-operatives educate and develop their members as well as their staff Co-operation amongst co-operatives – co-operatives work together with other co‑operatives to strengthen the co-operative movement as a whole Concern for community – co-operatives also work to improve and develop the community, both locally and internationally. Back to top Secondary navigation In this section More Links About The Co-operative What is a co-operative? What makes us different? Corporate Press and media Careers Membership Check your points Become a member What is membership? Stores & branches Find your nearest Co-operative store or branch The Co-operative businesses Food Bank Insurance Electrical Pharmacy Legal Services Funeralcare Travel Estates Britannia Smile Sunwin Energy Privacy policy Cookies Terms & conditions Accessibility Site map Copyright © Co-operative Group Limited. All rights reserved.