Supporting our communities through branch sponsorship

Thanks to our members investing in the Society, we can support local community projects through our Branching into Communities programme with our funding and volunteering initiatives.

One of these initiatives is our Branch Sponsorship Fund, which gives financial support to community groups, projects and programmes that benefit the communities we serve.

The Branch Sponsorship Fund has helped many different sports teams and clubs including the more common sports of football, rugby and cricket. It has also supported new and diverse sports such as Korfball and Goalball.

The fund has also donated funding to various community groups – dance groups, choirs, allotment societies, youth theatres and community hubs have all benefited in the last year.

We caught up with two colleagues who are key in delivering the Branch Sponsorship Fund; Kristy Maloney, Head of Retail and Jacky Grenfell, Swansea Branch Manager. They shine a light on this initiative; answering questions on what it is and who it supports, so we can help more people, groups and organisations in our communities.

Describe the Branch Sponsorship scheme in 3-5 sentences

Kristy - Financial support to projects and programmes that benefit the communities in which we serve. Organisations and groups who are active in our communities where there is a focus on wellbeing, inclusion and diversity, or sustainable environments. Our purpose is to support local organisations and communities with modest amounts to make a difference and building long-term relationships with our local communities.

How can interested organisations apply?

Jacky - Get in touch with any branch or agency and we can steer you in the right direction and help you to apply.

What is the most interesting/varied organisation MBS have helped and why?

Kristy - Every organisation is unique and interesting in their own way and it has been a pleasure for our teams to support choirs, football teams, gymnastics, cricket, and crafting with sponsorship.

Jacky - I loved helping St Mathews craft & chatter, we funded wool materials to help them make clothes for babies in hospital. We also sponsored South Wales Goalball, a partially sighted sports group with members aged from 12 – 80, they play with a ball with a bell in it, using their hearing and skill to score goals, it was so rewarding to watch them play.

Which areas/regions are eligible?

Kristy - Our Branch Sponsorship scheme is linked to where our Branch and Agencies are located 

How many organisations does the scheme typically help a year?

Kristy - Our numbers are growing, for example last year we helped over 40 organisations in our local communities.

What would you say to anyone considering applying for it?

Jacky - Please apply, we have funds that we want to give to our communities, if in doubt about whether you are eligible, just ask, we WANT to help.

Kristy - Please come and have a chat. As a Building Society we are here for our communities and our colleagues would love to chat through ideas with how we can support.

Find out more about all our Branching into Communities initiatives.