Celebrating one year of partnership with Nationwide Building Society
In June 2024, we partnered with Nationwide to tackle one of the most pressing issues facing the UK today: families living in poverty.
One year on, we’re proud to celebrate a partnership that’s already creating brighter futures for thousands of children and families.
Right now, 4.5 million children in the UK are growing up in poverty. That’s nearly one in three children facing hunger, cold, and isolation. Poverty affects every part of a child’s life – from their health and wellbeing to their education and future.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Together with Nationwide Fairer Futures, we’re pushing for change.
As part of Nationwide’s social impact – Nationwide Fairer Futures – our partnership provides vital support to tens of thousands of vulnerable children, young people, and families living in poverty or experiencing financial hardship.
With an incredible £3.48 million donated and raised in year one, our partnership is a truly unique opportunity to change the lives of children, young people, and parents at a time in urgent need.
Tackling child poverty
In just one year, Nationwide have contributed an incredible £3.48 million to support those children and families who need it the most.
1. Sponsoring our Secret Santa campaign
Each year, our Secret Santa campaign gives people the chance to become a Secret Santa for a vulnerable child. Last year, thanks to Nationwide’s headline sponsorship, we had our most successful fundraising year since 2018.
Nationwide contributed £563,000 through sponsorship, direct donation, matched funding and donations from customers and colleagues.
This is huge milestone for not just our partnership, but for our work at Action for Children.
2. Delivering support to families across the UK
Our partnership is helping us deliver two vital UK-wide programmes: the Family Fund and Family Clubs.
The Family Fund gives families immediate, flexible support with essentials like food, bills, clothing, and household items.
It also helps children take part in experiences they might otherwise miss out on, like school trips or birthday celebrations.
With Nationwide’s support, we’ve been able to scale this programme to reach more families than ever before.
Since our partnership began, we’ve seen a year-on-year increase in our delivery of Family Fund support in 2024.
Together, we’ve already supported 36,833 children, young people and parents.
3. Launching new Family Clubs
As part of our partnership, Nationwide is funding the launch of Family Clubs across the UK.
Our Family Clubs create safe and welcoming spaces for families experiencing hardship. They provide children with activities to help grow their confidence and parents with expert, tailored support.
This could be for anything from financial hardship to mental health issues and isolation.
In our first year, Nationwide has helped us open 22 new Family Clubs. 12 higher than our target of 10 in 2024-25.
These clubs are a lifeline for families who need a safe space to turn to.
4. Sponsoring our Paying the Price report
In March, we launched our Paying the Price report, setting out a clear roadmap for how the government can lift a million children out of poverty.
Nationwide funded the research behind the report – helping us take our message to Westminster and push for long-term change.
Child poverty is real. But you can help.
Over the last year, Nationwide has gone above and beyond to support our mission for every child to grow up safe and happy.
Our partnership is delivering incredible impact, and we couldn’t be more grateful for Nationwide’s support. With so much achieved in just one year, we’re looking forward to building a fairer future for even more children across the UK.
