E Dheveya, 32, was exposed to a co-operative (co-op) at a very young age, her mother, who worked as a nurse at the Institute of Mental Health, was a member of the pioneering co-op Singapore Government Staff Credit Co-operative, but she didn’t really know what co-ops were, just that they helped her family out when it came to financial matters.

About seven years ago, while searching for a full-time job, she saw a posting from AUPE Credit Co-operative  but still not having full knowledge of what a co-op was. The first thing that struck her was the building, "I had driven past it so many times because it was near where I lived and I thought it was an old Community centre," she recalled with a laugh.

Fast forward to present day, she remains one of the youngest members in AUPE Credit Co-operative.

Serving People and Not Just Providing a Service

Today, AUPE Credit Co-operative serves more than 18,000 members from across the public sector. The credit co-operative was formed in 1965 to ease members’ financial burden and offers services like savings, term deposits and loans while the AUPE General Services Co-operative, established in 1998, focuses more on member welfare services like hospitalisation schemes.

While financial services remain at the core of the co-op's work, she believes that the real purpose lies in helping people during critical moments in their lives.


COM Members and Staff of AUPE Credit Co-operative at the SCM Centennial Night event

One member's story continues to stay with her.

The member wanted to take a loan to purchase a plot of land in her hometown to build a house for her ageing parents. She is the only daughter to two senior parents. Her application was initially rejected due to concerns about documentation and repayment.

Listening to the member explain her situation struck a personal chord. She says: "Her parents were in their sixties, and she was their sole caregiver. I could relate because my parents are elderly too, and I’m a caregiver myself."

Determined to help, Dheveya sat down with the member, drafted an appeal letter on her behalf and explained the circumstances to the loans team. Within a week, the loan was approved. She recalls: “When she came back to thank me, I told her it wasn't because of me. We simply tried to understand her situation from her perspective".

Moments like these remind her that credit co-ops are more compassionate than banks. She has also met members who are seniors who continue working past retirement age to support their children and grandchildren. "Sometimes, it's touching to see that even at retirement age, people still want to give everything they can to their loved ones," she says.  Beyond just housing loans, some members also take loans for weddings or to take care of their loved ones.

Changing with the Times

Over the years, AUPE Credit Co-operative has undergone significant transformation, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The shift to remote work exposed gaps in existing systems and accelerated the co-op's digitalisation journey. What was once a paper-heavy operation has evolved into a largely digital one.

"We realised how unprepared we were, but we also realised how much we could improve," she says.

The experience also reinforced the need to better understand the changing expectations of members. While many existing members are seniors who prefer traditional benefits like vouchers and gifts, younger members expect speed, convenience and digital access.

Those lessons drove a series of transformation efforts. AUPE Credit Co-operative introduced electronic vouchers, upgraded its systems, and launched a mobile application, making its services easier to access and improving the member experience.

While technology has changed the way services are delivered, the Co-operative has not lost the personal touch it has built with its members. It continues to balance the needs of its existing members with the need to connect with and attract the younger generation. One way it does this is through its child and family membership, which encourages children to start saving from a young age and allows immediate family members to enjoy the membership benefits.

She believes that co-ops must continue evolving to remain relevant.

"Things that worked decades ago may not work today. We have to understand why certain processes existed, but we also need the courage to change them."

Building the Future of Co-operatives

Dheveya with her ELP project mates marking the completion of the programme


Her participation in the Emerging Leaders Programme (ELP) broadened her understanding of the Singapore Co-operative Movement (SCM) and reinforced her belief that young people have a role to play in its future.

She recently completed the programme by presenting her team’s findings and recommendations to a panel, applying tools learnt during the ELP camp held in March 2026. Their project explored how co-ops could turn passive members into active co-owners and contributors. For her, that starts with giving members more opportunities to participate, whether by leading interest groups, welcoming new members or sharing their knowledge and experiences. Such involvement can deepen understanding of shared co-op values and strengthen their sense of belonging. "Many people join for the benefits, but they don't realise that they have a voice and a stake in the co-op. If we can build that sense of ownership, we can create stronger communities," she adds.

Dheveya as an SCM Steward sharing about her co-op at the SCM Stewardship Day event

For her, attracting youths starts with creating spaces where they feel welcome, where they can gather, exchange ideas and contribute meaningfully.

"We can shape the world we want to live in,” she says. “We can't keep doing things simply because that's how they've always been done."

She envisions credit co-ops becoming dynamic hubs where people can access financial support, build relationships and collaborate on new ideas.

Dheveya was also a recipient of the Kandasamy Scholarship under the AUPE Credit Co-operative, which helped to offset some of her school fees. She was grateful for the support she received from the co-op, including the flexibility to leave work early on certain days to attend classes.

Balancing work, studies and responsibilities at home was not easy. “It was really tough,” she recalls. “I was lucky that my boss was understanding. I am also grateful to have the support of my friends. They would check in on my mum and always reach out to see how they could help.”

After three years, Dheveya graduated with a degree in Business Management and Marketing in 2024. Dheveya also contributes to outreach talks. Her current project involves a partnership with the Institute of Financial Literacy where they conduct financial literacy talks to employees from government agencies.

Ask the millennial what purposeful work is, she contemplates before answering sheepishly: "As long as I'm creating an impact, helping someone and learning something new, I feel like I'm in the right place."


By Mary Njo, Edited by Sng Ler Jun

Faces of Co-operator is a seasonal column featuring the stories behind the Singapore Co-operative Movement. Here, we featured E Dheveya from AUPE Credit Co-operative.