Saffron Building Society donated a total of £3383 to an environmental charity in June 2021 from interest raised by the holders of the society’s Enviro Saver account. Launched in July 2020, the Enviro Saver chose to support The Conservation Volunteers by donating a percentage of their earned interest from the last 12-month interest period. The charity was chosen by members, customers and the public via an online poll held in May 2020.
For over 60 years, the Conservation Volunteers have been creating, improving, and caring for green spaces – from urban to rural; from local parks to community gardens and local nature reserves. This charity works with communities across England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. Through their community Network, they support over 1,300 local community groups across the UK.
The Enviro Saver is an online savings account that allows Saffron Building Society members to save for the future and give back to the environment at the same time. With a minimum deposit of £10, you can bank and withdraw funds as and when needed. In addition to the interest paid to holders of this account, an annual donation is paid to an environmental charity, chosen by members from a list of nominated charities.
The recipients this year, and winners of the 2021 poll, are Wilderness Foundation. Funds raised between July 2021 and June 2022, from the growing number of members holding an enviro saver account, will be presented to the charity in July 2022.
Wilderness Foundation UK uses natural spaces to inspire and empower vulnerable people through nature conservation. The charity offers nature-based therapy programmes and conservation educational work, as well as sustainability projects to connect disadvantaged young people with nature.
Jo Roberts, CEO of Wilderness Foundation UK said: ‘We are delighted to have been chosen by the members of Saffron Building Society. Through their kind donations, the Enviro Savers will help support our Wilderness education and therapy programmes which reconnect young people and adults to society and themselves through outdoor facilitation adventures, counselling and mentoring. Our mission is to preserve wild places and change lives through outreach programmes that educate, inspire and reconnect people facing a number of challenges in their lives. These kind donations will help create opportunities for those wishing to learn more about their relationship with the natural world and what they can do to protect it, which in turn helps improve mental wellbeing. With your support we can continue to keep people healthy and our planet wild!’
Claire Hunnable, Saffron Building Society’s Community Business Partner, said: “We are delighted that our members have voted to make donations to TCV and Wilderness Foundation. To see our Enviro Saver account make a substantial difference to these wonderful charities is very rewarding. We are proud to offer our members, who save with the Enviro Saver, the privilege of being part of the charitable activities of organisations that appeal to them. At Saffron, it’s more than money, it is about the impact we have on society and now, more importantly than ever, the effect we are having on the world around us. By saving this way, our members are actively giving back to the environment as they plan and save for the future.”
