Investor Programme 2009-2012 - Part 3
The Foundation’s charity work is aligned to that of Nationwide through its focus on assisting vulnerable people in the UK with their housing and finance issues
22 May 2012: As part of Nationwide’s corporate responsibility and commitment to community projects, the Nationwide Foundation, an independent charity, receives money from Nationwide Building Society to use to fund grants to certain UK charities. The Foundation’s work is aligned to that of Nationwide’s own corporate responsibility and community projects through its focus on assisting vulnerable people in the UK with their housing and finance issues.
As mentioned in our previous articles, Part 1 and Part 2, the Foundation supports charities via its three year Investor Programme that is drawing to an end this year.
We’ve already highlighted six of the nine charities that have benefited from the Nationwide Foundation’s Investor Programme. Here, we look at the final charities who have received support over the past three years.
Rural Media Company
Rural Media Company’s ‘Over the Hill’ campaign highlights some of the housing and financial challenges facing those growing old and living in the countryside. Rural Media Company has carried out a report and produced a documentary film for use by social services, housing associations and charities, identifying and promoting best practice in housing and financial support for older people. Recently the charity launched a short drama film telling the story of a middle-aged couple viewing their dream home in the countryside and their realisation of the hidden financial and housing pitfalls.
Find out more about Rural Media Company
Age Concern Camden
Age UK Camden helps older people who are financially excluded as result of language barriers and are experiencing poverty, debt or severe housing issues. Age UK Camden has trained bilingual volunteers to deliver advice on housing and money issues.
Last year, almost 1,500 volunteer hours were delivered within the community, which enabled Age UK Camden to help 160 older people and obtain over £120,000 in additional welfare benefits, which were mainly related to disability living allowance, housing benefit and pension credits.
Find out more about Age Concern Camden
Money Advice Plus Services (MAPS)
MAPS has worked in partnership with Women’s Aid to provide a tailored telephone-based debt and money advice service for survivors of domestic abuse. Women’s Aid refers women to the service where money advisors at MAPS have expertise in the complex needs of survivors of domestic abuse. The advisors support women as they secure eligible benefits, separate joint bank accounts or open new accounts and establish debt management plans if required. In many cases, the financial abuse the women have experienced is complex so the support required from MAPS may be required over a long period. The high demand for the service has resulted in the project exceeding its target for the number of survivors of domestic abuse it has supported over the three year period.
Find out more about Money Advice Plus Services (MAPS)
The Nationwide Foundation’s current Investor Programme will come to an end in March 2013. The Financial Inclusion Centre is currently researching how the Nationwide Foundation’s money can be awarded to charitable projects for maximum benefit. Using the findings from this research and also the learning from the current strategy, the trustees of the Nationwide Foundation will decide in autumn 2012 how best to use its grants to support vulnerable people in the UK with their housing and finance needs.
If you want to know more about the Foundation's work you can read more here on Your Nationwide, or visit their own website.