THE Bank Workers Charity is urging other charities, trusts, funders and banks to look into the benefits of social investment.
The move comes after last month’s new guidance from the Charity Commission which opens the way for charities to invest for social as well as financial returns.
Speaking at BWC’s re-branding launch event, the charity’s chief executive Fred Payne said:
“We’re starting the ball rolling with social investment and believe that to get the best results we need a range of organisations to get involved.
“Collaboration and sharing knowledge and experience is the key to taking this forward.”
Mr Payne continued:
“There are huge opportunities from the developments of social investment.
“It could help us deliver new services more quickly and at lower cost.
“We also believe it would be a great way to generate new funds to help us grow our range of services, benefit more clients and keep the good work we’re doing going, well into the future.
“Ultimately, it gives us more ways to deliver our vision.
“First though, we need to answer some key questions.”
Roundtables are being arranged during the coming months for all interested parties.
The BWC want to start discussion on social investment for charities around five key questions:
1. How can it help charities to do what we currently do more effectively by adding new capabilities and increased capacity?
2. What risks will we run and what could we do to mitigate these?
3. When will the market develop sufficiently to be of use?
4. How will it help us to secure our sustainability in the future?
5. What can it do to help us to increase the impact that we can make?
Interested organisations who want to take part in the round tables should contact Fred Payne’s assistant Jenna on 020 7216 8981or email Jenna.Southgate@bwcharity.org.uk
Bank Workers Charity website www.bwcharity.org.uk
Helpline number 0800 0234 834.
The Bank Workers Charity support people working in the banking industry, their families and retirees who are facing challenging times such as illness, redundancy or bereavement.
The BWC offer support in three main areas; home, money and wellbeing. They do so through in-house client advisors as well as offering independent and confidential counselling, care and support services, delivered through a number of specialist partner charities, including the National Autistic Society, Leonard Cheshire Disability and Arthritis Care.
The BWC works in collaboration with HR departments to complement the help they offer bank staff and their families.
The Bank Workers Charity was previously known as the Bankers Benevolent Fund.
