Going beyond merely financial support, Tandem, the green, UK digital bank, will provide employees with two days of paid volunteering annually as it looks to encourage involvement with five employee-selected charities across the UK.
This comes as a part of the bank’s transformed charity partnerships programme, as it has committed to support five charities across its offices. With paid volunteering acting as a way to encourage a first step into doing good for the community, Tandem has also set a target of one million minutes of volunteering by 2026.
Five causes close to home, handpicked by local employees
Five causes have been designated as charity partners for the bank, handpicked by Tandem employees to champion across the year in line with its ethos of grassroots community engagement. Furthermore, Tandem has worked with the partners to develop opportunities for employees to have a substantial and coordinated impact at each.
- Foundation 92: The Salford-based charity was founded by the Manchester United ‘Class of 92’. It focuses on supporting communities to improve their lives through sport, education and bespoke projects. It puts an emphasis on positive physical and mental wellbeing.
- Maggie’s: With its centres across the UK, Maggie’s provides expert cancer care and support and was founded by Maggie Keswick in Edinburgh in 1996.
- The BoatHouse Youth: A longstanding partner of Tandem (Tandem is a platinum supporter), Blackpool’s Boathouse Youth works with children and young people aged 5-17, from deprived communities across the area – a vital cause for Tandem’s HQ.
- Trees for Life: Tying into Tandem’s green ethos, Trees for Life is focussed on rewilding the Scottish Highlands, planting space for wildlife and communities to thrive. Tandem has already worked with the charity and has planted over 10,270 trees, and has a dedicated grove in Dundreggan.
- Felix Food Project: The London-based charity is focused on fighting hunger and food waste across the city. It rescues food waste from industry and delivers it to over 900 frontline charities and schools.
Rewarding engagement and involvement
Beyond financial support, the bank believes in grassroots support. It also encourages its staff to get involved, with two days of paid volunteering. The bank has also set a target of one million minutes of volunteering by 2026. This equates to an equivalent value of just under £200,000. So far, 500 hours have already been clocked up.
To boost employee engagement further, Tandem will host Health and Wellbeing Roadshows. These will spotlight volunteering opportunities and initiatives accessible to all. Notably, top volunteers stand to also win prizes, including cash rewards towards energy bills, and supermarket vouchers.
Commenting on the new programme, Tandem CEO, Alex Mollart, said: “I’m delighted to officially announce our newly revamped charity programme. We’ve done some great work in supporting some great causes over the past. However, I’m excited that the new Tandem can have a more coordinated approach. Not to mention one that touches on more charities – with five partners.
“What’s important is that these partners have been selected by our staff – the ones which matter to them. With our support, they can punch above their weight in terms of impact. Especially as many offer vital lifelines in the community.
“The team’s already started 2024 with a bang, but we’ve got big ambitions. I’m proud that we can encourage them further with paid volunteering days and a business-wide target of one million minutes. We can’t forget our new roadshows and prizes.”
Francis Bignell
