Students for Cooperation is built on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, mutual

aid, equality, equity, sustainability and solidarity. We believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness,
social responsibility and caring for others.
Students for Cooperation aims to:

Support and encourage the establishment of new student co-operatives.

Help existing student cooperatives to prosper.

Encourage active co-operation between student co-operatives.

Promote the student co-operative movement to the wider co-operative movement and the world.

Organise and promote participatory education through knowledge and skills sharing events,
informative resources, training and workshops.

Secure finance for student cooperatives to further take democratic control of resources through cooperation.

Support like-minded projects and campaigns which align with at least some of the principles and
values of Students for Cooperation.

Students for Cooperation stands by the co-operative principles of:

I.

Voluntary and Open Membership

Students for Cooperation is a voluntary membership organisation, open to all student cooperatives able to use our services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership,
without gender, social, racial, political, religious or any other form of discrimination.

II.

Democratic Member Control

Students for Cooperation is a democratic organisation controlled by our Member Co-ops, who
actively participate in setting our policies and making decisions. Elected delegates are
accountable to their fellow members.

III.

Member Economic Participation

Member Co-ops contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of Students for
Cooperation. Member Co-ops allocate Students for Cooperations surpluses for any or all of
the following purposes: developing Students for Cooperation and Members Co-ops, possibly
by setting up reserves, and supporting other activities and aims approved by the Member Coops.

IV.

Autonomy and Independence

Students for Cooperation is an autonomous, self-help organisation controlled by our Member

Co-ops. If we enter into agreements with other organisations or raise capital from external
sources, we do so on terms that ensure democratic control by our Member Co-ops and
maintains our co-operative autonomy.

V.

Education, Training and Information

Students for Cooperation will provide education and training for our Member Co-ops and their
respective members, elected delegates, and any employees so we can all contribute
effectively to the development of our cooperatives and Students for Cooperation. We will

inform the general public particularly young people about the nature and benefits of cooperation.

VI.

Co-operation among Cooperatives

Students for Cooperation serves our Member Co-ops most effectively and strengthens the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international
structures.

VII.

Concern for Community

Students for Cooperation works for the sustainable development of our communities through
policies approved by our Member Co-ops

AIM 1 To support students to develop the skills, attributes and experiences that will help
them to progress into positive post-graduation.
OBJECTIVES
To support students in accessing high quality work experience/placements/internships and
personal development opportunities in collaboration with employers, alumni, departments and
colleges;
To provide and co-ordinate programmes of employability and enterprise development reflecting the
needs of students and the graduate market;
To provide a study skills programme which will enable students to engage in university learning to
their full potential;
To support students in Academic and Professional Development Planning;
To support students in developing and using career management skills.
AIM 2 To support students and graduates to make well informed career decisions and to
provide access to the relevant information, advice, guidance and experience to enable them
to realise their potential.
OBJECTIVES
To provide/deliver an effective information service on all aspects of career planning;
To provide high quality, effective advice and guidance services to students and graduates;
To aid self-assessment/decision-making strategies in order to assist in reflection of student
experience;
To enable students to identify, develop and record skills, abilities, interests and values;
To promote the work of the careers centre to students.
AIM 3 To support the University to understand and adapt to the changing graduate
employment market for our students and graduates.

OBJECTIVES
To collect and analyse information about the employment, training and further study taken up by
Durham University graduates;
To inform the University about employment and labour market trends;
To liaise and collaborate with university staff for the purposes of improving the Institutions
employability rankings and performance;
To liaise with members of academic and college staff to keep them aware of graduate employment
trends and to support them in their work with students with regard to employability;
To promote the work of the careers centre to University staff, academics and college tutors and
other Institutional partners.
AIM 4 To develop and maintain close, collaborative links with employers to the benefit of
students, employers and the University.
OBJECTIVES
To provide professional advice and information to employers seeking to recruit Durham University
students;
To provide and continue to develop a vacancy service to students and graduates covering graduate
vacancies, work experience, internships and local part time opportunities;
To develop and maintain work experience, placements and internship opportunities for our
students;
Develop and deliver opportunities for meaningful employer-student interactions and to maximise
the experiences of Durham students in terms of employability skills and assist in how to market
themselves effectively;
To promote the work of the careers centre to employers.
AIM 5 The careers team will maintain professional standards and continue to adapt to
changing needs.
OBJECTIVES
To be responsive and proactive in addressing the needs of students, the university and
organisations in a change based environment
To maintain and achieve professional standards through service and staff development and
engagement with relevant organisations and training
To participate in the co-operative activities of the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory
Services (AGCAS), and to play a role in the wider careers guidance community
To continually review our services in line with internal and external performance indicators
To accredit our quality standards through Matrix.