Our Ethics

Environmental and Social Responsibility

Lupine Adventure Co-op was started by individuals with a background in environmental and social justice projects and campaigns. As such we recognise that there can be a conflict of interest between our activities in the countryside and conservation.

As a workers co-operative we are a business with a strong ethical core and actively take steps to promote the preservation and well being of the environment and communities.

Social Enterprise… And then some – We have no shareholders or ‘owners’ to pay dividends to, and no debts with interest to pay. No one is making a mint from the fees that our customers pay. We therefore benefit from the double whammy of charging affordable fees but being able to pay decent rates of pay to our staff. This means that when we need to employ freelancers we get the cream of the crop.
Workers Co-operative – We are a Workers Co-operative, are members of Co-ops UK and abide by the 7 co-operative principles (see below).
Ecological restoration – We encourage the active involvement of our members in conservation projects (such as tree planting).
Cutting emissions – We promote the use of public transport and lift sharing. Unless completely impractical, all our Open Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions start and finish at railway stations.
Responsible events – We decided not to promote the Welsh 3 peaks event because of the road miles involved between the peaks. We also don’t promote the national 3 peaks challenge for the same reason, and because of its adverse effect on the environment and local communities.
Charity work – We give our time free to woodcraft folk groups and offer competitive rates to charity fundraisers
Fair Trade – We always buy fair trade products where possible when providing any catering.
Giving to good stuff – Each year we give time and free places on courses to organisations we support and individuals who will benefit from free places on our Open DofE programmes.

The 7 Co-operative Principles

A co-operative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.

Co-operatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.

1st Principle: Voluntary and Open Membership

Co-operatives are voluntary organisations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

2nd Principle: Democratic Member Control

Co-operatives are democratic organisations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary co-operatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and co-operatives at other levels are also organised in a democratic manner.

3rd Principle: Member Economic Participation

Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co-operative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the co-operative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their co-operative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the co-operative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.

4th Principle: Autonomy and Independence

Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organisations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organisations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their co-operative autonomy.

5th Principle: Education, Training and Information

Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees, so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public – particularly young people and opinion leaders – about the nature and benefits of co-operation.

6th Principle: Co-operation among Co-operatives

Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

7th Principle: Concern for Community

Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.