first direct in the community

first direct pioneers amazing service - it's how we bank and it's how we work in our communities. We focus on supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged people through education programmes, volunteering projects and partnering with national charities.

Two years ago we launched our charity partnership with Maggie's. This gave us the opportunity to make a significant and meaningful contribution to a national charity, but also allowed us to focus our efforts in helping the Lanarkshire and Yorkshire regions.

This local connection has been really special and Maggie's has become more than just a charity partner, they have become a local friend. Although our national partnership has come to an end, Maggie's will remain a local charity friend of first direct.

Maggie's Cancer Centres

A diagnosis of cancer can mean fear, isolation, exhausting treatment and tough decisions. It can also bring financial hardship, anxiety and uncertainty. And this affects family and friends too.

Maggie's Centres are warm, welcoming and tranquil places with specialist staff dedicated to the physical and emotional wellbeing of their visitors. People visit Maggie's for expert advice when newly diagnosed or for help getting back on track when their cancer treatment is complete. Children can learn more about what is happening to mum or dad, and whole families can seek caring support when facing the loss of a loved one.

first direct have been immensely proud to support Maggie's and their 22 cancer caring centres in the UK.

Our people are always on it...

first direct people have a heart and there's always something going on inside or outside of the office. We take money seriously but not ourselves - like when we arranged our own 'It's a Knockout'. Other crazy challenges include sky dives, mud runs, fire walking, 3 Peaks and tasty bake-offs.

During our partnership with Maggie's we raised over £325,000 helping to fund the specialist cancer support that Maggie's so wonderfully provide.

We love fundraising for local charities such as Martin House Children's Hospice in Leeds and St Andrews Hospice. Our activities and shop donations raised over £19,350 in 2017.

And first direct matched employees charity fundraising to the tune of £156,015.

Local and national community investment

We want our time, skills and funds to make a real difference to a range of charities and organisations. So we're out there forming partnerships that are based on a shared sense of purpose and values. Here are some of the things we get up to:

working with educational charities such as IntoUniversity Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first] where our people mentor and support workshops, homework clubs and business challenges. They share their knowledge and skills to help young people realise their aspirations
our people can take a paid day out of the office to support our partners, or a community initiative of their choice
giving first direct arena tickets to our charity and community partners - just one lovely thing to come from is that children in care get to experience a show.