How did you come to support Wood Street Mission and what have you done to support us?

The partnership started in 2008 when BNY opened the Spinningfields office. The mission aligns with BNY’s commitment to engaging with local communities, providing support services for families living in poverty in the Northwest.

As a long-time partner, we initially supported the Smart Start Project by providing school uniforms and supplies for children and young adults. Over the years, we’ve backed various appeals, including Christmas, Easter, and now the Books Forever Appeal. Our employees have also participated in fundraising activities such as sporting events to raise money.

We have continuously evolved our giving at BNY program building a significant number of volunteering hours in 2024. (BNY’s giving at BNY program enables employees to utilise 3 days per year and will match employee volunteering with a donation of $25ph which in turn enables the charity to support other programs.)

Why have you continued to partner with and support Wood Street?

Collaboration is essential; both Wood Street and BNY develop programs and opportunities that benefit both groups, allowing employees to observe the impact that Wood Street has on families within the local community.

What is the most rewarding part of supporting Wood Street and the children and families we help?

Supporting families across Manchester to try and help children and young adults have the same opportunities and experiences. Taking part in volunteering days are also not just rewarding but also enjoyable. BNY employees who choose to volunteer tend to return year after year, which speaks volumes about their experience.

There are some overwhelming statistics about the number of children living in poverty in Manchester and Salford – 81,000 children. What would you say to someone who wanted to make a difference with this issue and who was thinking about supporting Wood Street Mission with their business/in their workplace?

Regardless of your organisation’s size, there are many ways to contribute and make a difference to Wood Street and our local community.

How do you hope to support Wood Street in the future?

2025 will be our seventeenth year of involvement with Wood Street Mission, which is a significant milestone. We would like to continue to evolve our giving at BNY program with Wood Street and determine the possibility of extending our volunteering offering to other key dates throughout the year.