Nottingham Building Society extends charity partnerships to strengthen long-term fight against homelessness and inequality

Nottingham Building Society, the mortgages and savings mutual, has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to tackling homelessness and supporting young people by extending its charity partnerships with Emmanuel House, Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity, and ThinkForward into 2026. 

Announced by Sue Hayes, Chief Executive of Nottingham Building Society, at The High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire's celebrating philanthropy event, hosted by Forever Notts, at the Nottingham Arena, the renewed partnerships will see the 176-year-old mutual donate £130,000 to support the charities’ vital work across local and national communities. 

Shelter's frontline services are working tirelessly to provide vital support and advice to those experiencing and at risk of homelessness. Through its partnership with Shelter, Nottingham Building Society ensures the charity can help those being hit hardest by the housing emergency and campaign for lasting change, to end homelessness for good.   

The announcement follows another record-breaking year of colleague-led community impact at Nottingham Building Society, which also commits to donating 1% of pre-tax profits towards community impact initiatives each year. In 2025, more than half of all employees contributed close to 4,000 hours of volunteering time, an 11% increase on what was already a record year in 2024. 

Colleagues across the Society’s branch network and head office supported a wide range of local charities and non-profits, with significant focus on homelessness support. In the run-up to Christmas, colleagues raised £3,600 for Emmanuel House and Shelter’s Winter Appeal through activities including sponsored walks and cycles totaling 500 miles, festive in-branch events and cold-water challenges. 

The scale and consistency of this work saw Nottingham Building Society named a finalist in the Community Impact category at the East Midlands Business of the Year Awards, recognising the organisation’s commitment to community-led social impact. 

The renewed support comes at a critical time, as homelessness continues to rise across the country, with a record 175,025 children stuck in temporary accommodation in England. Nottingham Building Society has reaffirmed its commitment to working with trusted partners to provide practical, lasting support for those most affected. 

Laura Thomas, Social Impact and Inclusion Manager at Nottingham Building Society, said: “Our partnerships with Emmanuel House, Shelter, and ThinkForward reflect a long-term commitment, not a short-term response. Homelessness and inequality are complex challenges, and meaningful progress comes from sustained support, strong relationships, and showing up consistently, especially when pressure on communities is increasing. 

“What makes this work particularly powerful is how deeply our colleagues are involved. From volunteering time and fundraising locally to using their skills to support charities directly, there’s a genuine sense of shared purpose across the Society to make a difference. 

“As a mutual, we exist to serve our communities. Extending these partnerships into 2026 allows us to keep focusing on practical impact, supporting people to move forward with dignity, stability, and opportunity.” 

With a strong legacy of community engagement, Nottingham Building Society continues to champion social responsibility, fostering positive change both locally and nationally. 

Isabella Harriss, CEO at Emmanuel House, added: “Relationships are at the heart of everything we do at Emmanuel House. For 50 years, our work has been built on people walking alongside one another through moments of difficulty, change, and hope. That is why our partnership with Nottingham Building Society means so much. Their continued support strengthens the community around us, giving people facing homelessness not just practical help, but the sense of belonging and possibility that can truly transform lives. 

“As we celebrate our 50th year in the city, we are looking ahead with optimism. With partners like Nottingham Building Society by our side, we can continue to be a place of welcome, care and stability for generations to come.” 

Lauren Thompson, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Shelter, said: “At Shelter, we are doing everything we can to support those impacted by the housing emergency. With soaring private rents and a severe shortage of genuinely affordable social homes, more families are being pushed to the brink of homelessness.    
  

“We are incredibly grateful to the colleagues at Nottingham Building Society who raised vital funds for our Winter Appeal through sponsored walks and cycles, festive in-branch events, and cold-water challenges. Their generous support will ensure that we can continue doing all we can to fight for families on the frontline of the housing emergency." 

Ashley McCaul, CEO of ThinkForward, added: “Nottingham Building Society’s continued support is helping young people who face significant barriers to develop the skills, confidence and networks they need to transition into employment. We’re grateful for their long-term partnership, which allows us to provide consistent, tailored support at a critical point in young people’s lives, creating brighter futures and tackling inequity.” 

A full review of our Community Impact can be found here.