Corporate social responsibility
Respecting members, employees and the wider world
We’re not betting people. But if we were, we’d wager that you’d feel proud to work for an organisation that was committed to being a good corporate citizen as well as a successful business. As a mutual organisation, we take our community and environmental responsibilities more seriously than most. In fact we’re ranked among the top 100 "Companies That Count" in Business in the Community's leading index of sustainable business practice.
So we were delighted when our members overwhelmingly backed our proposal to invest at least 1% of pre-tax profits in charity, community and environmental projects. It’s a move that doubles our investment to almost £8 million a year – a figure that’s boosted further by the fundraising efforts of our people. And, of course, it’s an investment that’s complemented by our commitment to growing the business in a way that minimises our impact on the environment and conserves resources for future generations.
Here’s a quick snapshot of some of the things we’ve been doing – many of which you can get involved in.
Supporting the community
- We frequently get involved in, and hold events for charities. In 2009 we raised over £250,000 for Red Nose Day and almost £40,000 for Action for Children – enough money to find a mentoring programme for up to 50 vulnerable children for a year
- March 2009 saw the launch of our latest Financial Capability module, Savings and Life Skills, for our Nationwide Education Programme. We’re working directly with 4-16 year olds, enabling young people to learn a wider range of useful skills that will benefit them in later life
- We’ve donated over £26 million to The Nationwide Foundation Since we set up in 1997 – money that’s been distributed to more than 2,200 UK charities
- Working with Legal and General, we are a key supporter of Help The Aged' ‘HandyVans’. These vans have helped over 175,000 older people across England, Scotland and Wales since 1995 to live independently and to get help with the fitting of safety devices such as smoke alarms, door chains and locks for windows. This support can bring valuable peace of mind and can help people feel safer in their own homes
- Through our ‘Cats Eyes for Kids’ road safety scheme we’ve distributed more than 13 million reflectors across the UK since October 2001. And because we feel so strongly about child road safety, we’ve pledged to give every new primary intake child a reflector until 2010
- As the UK’s second largest mortgage provider, we also have a strong interest in all issues affecting housing. We have recently teamed up with the homelessness and housing charity Shelter, and our donations have helped to provide support, advice and community activities to over 440 people across Bristol, Sheffield and Birmingham
- Over 12,500 volunteers who give their time free to their communities have been nominated for Nationwide Awards for Voluntary Endeavour
- We’ve donated £100,000 to Disability Sport Events, the UK charity that helps disabled people participate in sport
- Together with Disability Sport Events we’re helping aspiring champions on the road to the Beijing and London Paralympics as part of a £1 million programme through to 2012
- We’ve been involved in football sponsorship since May 1996 and are currently:
- Official Sponsor of the England team until 2010
- Official Sponsor of the Wales team until 2010
- Official Sponsor of the Northern Ireland team until 2010
- Official Partner of the Scotland Team until 2010
Turning greener
- Since 2005 we’ve cut our CO2 emissions by 85%
- All our electricity now comes from renewable energy sources
- We recycle 100% of our waste paper, the first in our industry to do so
- We operate a car-share scheme at our main sites in Swindon and Northampton