Throughout the past 12 months, Suffolk Building Society has supported worthwhile causes in Suffolk, focusing on making a difference to the people and nature in the county. Through its Safe Homes for Suffolk and Saving Suffolk campaigns, the Society donated a total of £45,000 to its nominated charity partners.
To commemorate this milestone, representatives from Lighthouse Women’s Aid, Ipswich Housing Action Group, Emmaus Suffolk and Suffolk Wildlife Trust were invited to Suffolk Building Society’s head office in Ipswich to discuss the impact these vital funds were having on the local area.
The Safe Homes for Suffolk campaign is underpinned by the belief that everyone has a right to a safe home. This resonates with the Society’s original mission from 1849 to build and allocate safe homes throughout the county. Assisting people facing homelessness, social isolation, and domestic abuse in Suffolk, the campaign supports three charities, each of which was hugely grateful for the Society’s and its members’ generosity:
Claire Staddon, Chief Executive Officer at Emmaus Suffolk, said: “We work with vulnerable and socially isolated people, and those at risk of homelessness, across the east of Suffolk. This generous donation allows us to continue the vital work we do within the community, from our well-being hubs to our new modular homes on Felixstowe Road in Ipswich.”
Jools Ramsey-Palmer, Chief Executive Officer at Ipswich Housing Action Group (ihAg), said: “Across 2022-23, 110 people were found bedded down on the streets of Ipswich. At ihAg, we’re on hand for anyone who needs support, advice, and practical help. This contribution from Suffolk Building Society means we can invite people in for breakfast and offer hot showers and washing facilities – basic human needs most of us take for granted.”
Sally Winston, Chief Executive Officer at Lighthouse Women’s Aid, said: “Here at Lighthouse, we support women, young people and children who are experiencing or have been impacted by domestic abuse. These additional funds will help us to run essential services from our Women’s Centre. This lifeline of support enables women to recover from the traumatic effects of domestic abuse, take the time to make informed choices and move on to a life free from abuse.”
Demonstrated via its Saving Suffolk initiative, Suffolk Building Society considers itself a steward of nature and the environment – a responsibility it takes seriously. This sees the Society and its members doing all they can to protect Suffolk’s wild spaces, either by volunteering for local projects or using some of its profits to provide much-needed funding for habitat protection.
In 2023, the campaign focused on the ‘wilding’ of a new nature reserve for Suffolk, which saw the Society offering its support to Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
Michael Strand, Community Fundraising Manager at Suffolk Wildlife Trust, said: “As the only organisation dedicated wholly to safeguarding Suffolk’s wildlife and countryside, we are incredibly grateful for this donation. By supporting Martlesham Wilds, Suffolk Building Society is helping to restore a new 289-acre nature reserve. This ‘wilded’ land will provide a habitat for species including barn owl, curlew, yellowhammer, and fallow deer, as well as providing a wonderful environment for people to enjoy nature – both now and for generations to come!”
Richard Norrington, Chief Executive Officer at Suffolk Building Society said: “As a mutual society, we passionately believe in putting some of our profits back into the local community. We’ve chosen to help protect the environment and advocate for safe homes.
“We are incredibly grateful to our members who trust us with their savings and mortgages. It’s because of this that we’re able to invest in the local community we serve.
“There are always practical opportunities for our members to get involved too. Keep an eye on our blog this year to find out more about member events which involve our charity partners.”