What was the partnership?
One million people will be living with dementia in the UK by 2025 and banking is one of the biggest challenges facing people affected by the condition: 66 per cent need support with it, putting them at risk of financial exclusion.
Santander UK was determined to make a difference, so in 2019, it launched a partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society and resolved to become the UK’s best dementia-friendly bank.
What did they do?
This partnership has seen several dementia-friendly initiatives created and embedded in Santander’s work, ranging from dementia guides to carers cards to support both customers and staff who have caring responsibilities. The financial services provider also donated £3.6m – £2.1m of which was generated though staff fundraising – to the Alzheimer’s Society. About 11,700 Santander staff received training in how dementia affects a person and committed to do small, everyday things to help.
During the pandemic, more than 300 Santander staff members volunteered with the Alzheimer’s Society’s Companion Calls service, providing 7,500 calls to people affected by dementia for a friendly chat.
What has been the impact of the partnership?
Both Santander staff and people affected by dementia reported finding the calls provided during the pandemic meaningful. One beneficiary said: “The volunteer has been… a lifeline.”
The vast majority – 96 per cent – of Santander employees now feel better equipped to support people affected by dementia. The funds raised for the Alzheimer’s Society went to directly support people affected by the condition and help fund vital research.
What did the judges say?
“This is a deeply impressive partnership on all levels.”
Highly Commended
Barclays with Refuge
In a recent study by Refuge, which supports women experiencing domestic abuse and gender-based violence, and their children, 73 per cent of frontline workers surveyed said the cost-of-living crisis is increasing barriers for women to leaving a perpetrator of violence.
Since 2020, Barclays has partnered with Refuge to provide financial support and to offer the expertise of teams across the bank. This has enabled Refuge to not only respond to this increased demand for their services, but also start new projects.
Morgan Stanley with Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital cares for the most seriously ill children from all over the UK. The charity’s partnership with Morgan Stanley began in 2007 with the objective of raising £10m to build a new seven-floor facility, the Morgan Stanley Clinical Building.
Since then, it has grown into a multifaceted strategic partnership that has transformed the hospital campus, as well as growing and pivoting more generally to address the charity’s most urgent needs.
Finalists
Societe Generale and Shelter partnership – Societe Generale with Shelter
Brilliant Leaders, Brighter Futures – IG Group with Teach First
Deutsche Bank’s UK Charity of the Year 2022/23 – Deutsche Bank with MQ Mental Health Research
