Opportunities for young people

Launched February 2001

In partnership with charities and other specialist organisations, our campaign aimed to understand and tackle some of the issues surrounding youth poverty. Following research into the issue by the bank with children, teenagers and parents, our campaign activities were designed to build confidence and raise aspirations.

You Want It, You Got It!

Thanks to the success of our campaign, our work with young people was extended in to the ‘You Want it: You Got it project’ in 2002/03. Working with the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester, 20 groups of young people were given the opportunity and support to develop a range of exciting projects whilst also benefiting from team and personal development training.

The final element of the project in November 2003 involved 5 groups, who had successfully developed their initial ideas, collectively deciding how to allocate the remaining funding responsibly between themselves.

'You want it, you got it!' gave those groups taking part the chance to make a real success of their ideas, receiving both financial and practical support. The bank was awarded the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester’s Community Stars Award for the project.

You Voted, We Donated

We divided our campaign donation amongst four charities according to the percentage of customer votes each received.

The Depaul Trust

Offering young people under 25 help with emergency shelter, housing, training and sometimes just a shoulder to lean on. Received £22,146

Webster Primary School

An inner city multi-ethnic school, working with children with children under seven and their families. Many have experienced significant disadvantage such as homelessness, or are refugees or victims of domestic violence. Received £7,382

Weston Spirit

A charity founded by Simon Weston OBE, providing personal development opportunities and support to ‘status zero’ young people (not in training, education or employment) from its UK wide Centres. Typically, around 80% of those involved return to education and employment. Received £22,146

The Kids Company

children relentlessly traumatised by neglect and emotional/physical abuse shut down their feelings in order not to feel pain. The Kid’s Company’s programmes provide loving adults who befriend and 'parent' children in need of food, clothing and human warmth. Received £22,146

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