Words by Abi Scaife
The Corporate Cause section in the Smiley Charity Film Awards is a chance for businesses to demonstrate how they’re giving back. It’s a hugely important and impactful category, allowing us to celebrate their partnerships with charities and causes that benefit our world.
Suffolk Building Society is a UK building society based in Ipswich, Suffolk, that is dedicated to giving back to its community. They have partnered with The Suffolk Wildlife Trust, a charity committed to safeguarding Suffolk’s wildlife and countryside.
Ahead of the Smiley Charity Film Awards ceremony, we caught up with Richard Norrington, the Chief Executive Officer at Suffolk Building Society, one of our Corporate Cause finalists, to hear more about their collaboration with The Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
“Our county’s nature is under threat and we know that local people care deeply about protecting it. As part of our Saving Suffolk campaign, we’re helping Suffolk Wildlife Trust to create Martlesham Wilds – a new 289-acre nature reserve.”
“The Society was founded to help people buy enough land to enable them to vote. Our mission to provide safe homes continues today - this time for nature. Stronger partnerships, including collaborative projects between companies and charitable organisations, will become more common in the future, tackling societal and environmental challenges.”
“There are many ways for businesses to support valuable causes. Our 60,000 members have had the opportunity to book exclusive tours of Martlesham Wilds and make donations in branch, as part of our promotional campaign. Additionally, employees can volunteer for four hours every month as part of their role, and we’ve run several ‘Wild at Work’ days with Suffolk Wildlife Trust.”
You can see Suffolk Building Society and Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s entry into the Smiley Charity Film Awards here on the CFA website.
You can learn more about the Suffolk Building Society at this link.
You can learn more about Suffolk Wildlife Trust at this link.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
The Canal & Rivers Trust. The Rivers Trust are conservation experts who work to create wild, healthy, natural rivers. Support them here.
The Woodland Trust. This is the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, concerned with the creation, protection, and restoration of native woodland heritage. Support them here.
Rewilding Britain. They aim to tackle the climate emergency and extinction crisis, reconnect people with the natural world and help communities thrive. Find out more here.
