Community Support
We support non-profit events and voluntary groups located within our region. Donations or assistance tends to be on a one off basis and in order to make our support as effective as possible we focus on projects in areas where we have branches and can make the most impact.
What do we support?
We support projects that help sustain the local community and reflect the origins and purpose of a regional building society. These would therefore include:-
- Projects which provide support for the homeless
- Projects helping people deal with debt problems
- Projects which help the elderly
- Projects which provide help to sick or disabled children and adults
- Projects which deliver a particular item or service rather than contributing to a general fund
- Projects in which Stroud & Swindon is the sole commercial partner
We will generally not consider projects which fall into the following categories:-
- Activities which are the statutory responsibility of government agencies or private companies
- Appeals which benefit individuals
- Conferences and Seminars
- Fundraising by third parties on behalf of charities
- Holidays or day trips
- Sponsorship of Individual Sports Clubs
- Large national charities that enjoy wide support
- Museums, galleries or music festivals
- Bursaries to support an individual’s education
- Political organisations, lobbying or pressure groups
- Profit making organisations (except for commercial sponsorship)
- Religious groups
- Sponsorship of events or appeals
Branch Charity Programme for 2008
The Society has 22 branches based in the South West and in 2008 they have each nominated their own local charity to support for the year.
Head Office Charity Programme
We also support a number of other local charities which meet our overall criteria as well as some major national events such as BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief.
Affinity Savings Accounts
We have developed affinity savings accounts with the following:-
- Bath RFC
- Forest Green Rovers FC
- The Willow Trust
- The Cotswold Care Hospice
Each of these accounts is based on our Branch Instant Savings Account. The saver receives the normal rate of interest payable, but in addition, every 12 months, we pay 1% of the average monthly balance to the appropriate organisation. Savers can therefore support their favourite team or charity and still receive good return themselves.
Stroud & Swindon Hot Air Balloons
The Society has two hot air balloons, one a conventional balloon and the other specially shaped in the form of a house.
The conventional shaped balloon is used for educational purposes and in 2007 visited well over 20 primary schools in the region. Pupils receive a 30 minute talk about the theory of aviation and how a balloon works. The balloon is then inflated in the school playing field and children get to see this at close hand often partaking in the fun.
The special shaped balloon made its debut at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. It is one of the largest special shaped balloons in the UK. It stands over 20 metres high, has a cubic capacity of 105,000 cubic feet, weighs 320 kgs and its perimeter is 52 metres.
Both balloons will also feature in promotional events, country shows and balloon fiestas.