The BIG Alliance is our London charity partner, whose mission is to unite corporate volunteers in the London Borough of Islington with their local community to create positive social and environmental change. This is done through a variety of initiatives including environmental team challenges, skill-based activities targeted at young people and other demographics in the community.

One of those initiatives is MUFG’s upcoming collaboration with City of London Highgate Hill Academy (COLA HH) which aims to provide support both in volunteering and fundraising.

At COLA HH, they believe that all students can thrive and become active contributors to their local, national and global communities. The school is doing an excellent job of supporting their students, especially their vulnerable and disadvantaged students to catch up, both academically and socially. 58% of students at COLA HH are on free school meals, which is almost double the national average of 27%. In addition to this, GCSE attainment for English and Maths for disadvantaged students at COLA HH is at 31%, almost 20% below the national average. This is why it is important to leverage our skills and resources and offer our support.

MUFG CSR’s purpose is ‘Empowering a brighter future’. We will do this by working closely with the school and utilising BIG Alliance’s expertise to help connect our employees to support students throughout their school’s years. This happens through a range of opportunities that equip them with the necessary skills and experiences for future success. Future initiatives will include:

• Career insight visits to MUFG offices, career guidance and access and skill-based workshops

• Environment: Regeneration of school green spaces

• Fundraising initiatives to support with specific activities, such as Sports Day

Through raising funds for this project, you will be directly supporting these programmes, and therefore playing a key role in advancing the futures of COLA HH students.