Charity partnerships

How we’re supporting communities

From policy to partnerships, we’re on a mission to make values-led banking the industry standard.

We use our voice to support our wider community, and stand up for causes that align with our values and ethics. And that goes for where we donate too.

So far, we’ve worked with Sports Aid to give grants to young footballers, in support of the women’s game, and we’re supporting the restoration of more than 400 hectares of peatland throughout our three-year partnership with the National Trust. So what’s next?

Action for Children

Helping families manage money

From launching our award-winning debit card and app for kids, Starling Kite, to campaigning to Make Pocket Money Equal, we want to get parents talking – and kids, learning – about money. Our Make Pocket Money Equal report revealed that 20% of parents lack confidence in teaching their children about money. We want to change that.

For over 150 years, UK charity Action for Children has been working hard to make sure more children in the UK have a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.

Our donation will support the development of new financial content that parents and carers can access for free on Parent Talk: their online parenting advice and 1:1 chat service with expert parenting coaches.

So far, we’ve covered topics from how to talk about money to advice on what financial support parents can access for their child. These articles included “Talking to children about money” and Can I get financial support for my child?”.

By giving parents these tools and resources, we can help set their kids on the path to success in whatever they choose to do.

We’re thrilled to be supporting a 1:1 family support worker in the Parent Talk team by increasing their hours from part-time to full-time, which will allow more families to access support through the service.

Smart Works

Helping women find financial independence

Equality is in our DNA. We’ve been campaigning to Make Money Equal since 2018, and became a national sponsor of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022. Women make up 41% of our leadership team – in fact, we’re the only bank in the UK to be founded by a woman. And we’re always seeking new ways to build a fairer and more equitable future.

With 11 centres across the UK, Smart Works is an award-winning charity that gives unemployed women the clothes, coaching and confidence they need to get a job and secure financial independence. Currently 63% of women go on to get a job within one month of their visit.

Our internal women’s network, With-Women, works closely with Smart Works by taking part in volunteering opportunities, clothes donation drives and internal events. This opportunity gives our team members the chance to work with Smart Works’ coaches and clients, helping them learn more about the good they do and contribute to the cause.

We’re helping Smart Works hit their new goal: they plan to double the number of unemployed women supported through their service to 10,000 a year.