Suffolk Building Society has donated £45,000 across four local Suffolk charities which protect nature, and tackle homelessness, isolation, and domestic abuse.
This is part of the Society’s 175 Good Deeds for Suffolk campaign, which is marking the Society’s 175th year. As well as financial support for local charities, the campaign has seen staff in branches and head office getting involved in activities that make a real difference, from sponsored challenges and environmental projects to school partnerships and volunteering.
This latest donation has been split across four strategic charity partners. These include Emmaus Suffolk, Ipswich Housing Action Group (ihAg), Lighthouse Women’s Aid and Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
Richard Norrington, CEO at Suffolk Building Society, said: “We’ve been celebrating our 175th year in a way that gives back to the communities we serve. As well as the volunteering and fundraising by our staff, we hope these charitable donations help to support our core charity partners who are doing vital work to protect vulnerable people and help local nature to flourish.”
Tony Chasteauneuf, CEO at Emmaus Suffolk, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Suffolk Building Society for this generous donation and for their continued support of our charity – and the people we support – since 2021. Thanks to their commitment, we can reach more people across our Suffolk communities who are experiencing isolation and loneliness, and who are at risk of homelessness.
“This generous donation will directly support the development of our training programme, helping people who are long-term unemployed or facing mental health challenges to gain skills and work experience at our Royal Oak Café. In the future, we plan to expand training opportunities into our charity shops and hopefully open a new community hub in Ipswich town centre to offer a safe and welcoming space for connection, wellbeing support, and creative activities.”
Sam Hopley, CEO at ihAg, said: “This generous donation from Suffolk Building Society couldn’t come at a more critical time. It will help us provide warmth, guidance, and practical support to those facing housing insecurity this winter. Community partnerships like this are vital – they show what can be achieved when we work together to support those most in need.”
Sally Winston, CEO at Lighthouse, said: “Lighthouse is very grateful to Suffolk Building Society for their continued support. As with many charities, we are faced with ongoing challenging financial times and so the funding provided by the Society has certainly helped towards meeting the shortfall, enabling our vital support services for victims of domestic abuse services to continue into 2026 and beyond.
“Community fundraising is crucial to the sustainability of our organisation and local corporate partnerships are key for charities such as Lighthouse. They can provide a steady flow of resources as well as enhancing a charity’s credibility in an increasingly competitive landscape. By aligning with businesses such as Suffolk Building Society, Lighthouse has gained access to financial support, volunteer workforce initiatives, and an extensive network that has significantly amplified our reach.”
Julie Long, Partnerships Manager at Suffolk Wildlife Trust, said: “We are thrilled to continue to partner with Suffolk Building Society. Their reach across the county and deep roots in the community make them a fitting champion for nature recovery at a landscape scale. Through their financial support, advocacy, and volunteering, they are helping us care for the 7,100 acres we already protect and reclaim more connected spaces for wildlife as we work towards the global 2030 target of restoring 30% of land and sea for nature.
“Their support also enables us to deliver vital engagement projects, because connecting people with nature is essential if we are to inspire action and deliver the change we urgently need. As we strive to raise £1,000,000 through our Mission 2030 campaign, having Suffolk Building Society as a long-term partner helps us plan for essential conservation work and deliver new, innovative projects.”
