Opening doors to opportunity

Lorna, Social Mobility Manager, talks us through Co-op's approach to social mobility and how we're helping to create access to opportunity for all.

At Co-op, we’ve always believed that where you start in life shouldn’t determine where you finish. But we also know that for many people, getting into work – and progressing once you’re there – isn’t a level playing field.

Talent is everywhere, but access to opportunity often isn’t. That’s why, since our members asked us to take action on inequality in 2021, we’ve been working to better understand the barriers people face and take meaningful steps to break them down.

As part of this ongoing commitment – and to mark Social Mobility Day – we recently hosted our Opening Doors event. It brought together job seekers, partners and organisations supporting people into work, to share practical help, insights and tools that can make a real difference.

The reason we decided to host this is because we know employability isn’t just about individuals being ‘work ready’. It’s also about how organisations create fairer access to opportunity – and we wanted to be part of that solution. And while we know we can’t solve every barrier alone, we can play our part by making support more accessible – whether someone is applying to Co-op or not.

That’s where our employability toolkits come in. Originally created during the pandemic, we’ve continued to evolve them to reflect what people need today. They’re designed to support anyone on their journey into work – from writing a CV, to building confidence, to navigating interviews.

Crucially, we’ve also worked to make sure our support reflects the experiences of those who may face additional barriers. That includes tailored content for groups such as refugees, young people under 25, and those returning to work after time away. These resources have been shaped by feedback and collaboration with partners, so they’re practical, relevant and grounded in real experiences.

Alongside this, we’ve continued to take action within Co-op too – from publishing our socio-economic pay gap, to building our understanding of colleagues’ backgrounds, and using that insight to shape more inclusive practices. Because improving social mobility isn’t one action – it’s about sustained, long-term change.

If you’d like to find out more, you can watch back the session recording and explore our toolkits to support your own journey or the people you work with. Whether you’re looking for your next opportunity, supporting others into work, or simply want to learn more, we hope these resources help open doors and create access to opportunity.

Lorna Jones, Social Mobility Manager