Partnership with SHS Shortlisted for Business Charity Award

We're delighted to announce that our partnership with School-Home Support (SHS) has been shortlisted for a Business Charity Award.

This fantastic partnership was established in 2016 when our Group funded the first SHS practitioner in Bradford at One In A Million Free School (OIAMFS).

SHS practitioners work with families to establish long-term trusting relationships that build a bridge between home and school. They look to tackle the underlying causes of school absence such as poverty, domestic violence or unsupported mental health issues, using bespoke support strategies to overcome barriers to learning and ensure children can achieve their potential.

Since we funded the first Bradford practitioner, SHS now have a strong foothold in the city and we act as an advocate for their work there. Since January 2023, SHS has been delivering additional support in Bradford as part of the Government's SAFE Taskforce: SAFE taskforces - GOV.UK taking the number of schools SHS supports there to 16. As a result of Vanquis Banking Group's partnership, SHS' profile and engagement in Bradford is significant and has helped them create connections with influential individuals such as Bradford South labour MP Judith Cummings who name checked SHS in the 2023 budget speech.

We have also been supporting a practitioner at schools in Bradford and Kent since 2017. And in addition, we also provide funding to SHS as part of our School Uniform Project. In 2023, this project provided funding to 989 families in Bradford, Blackpool, Liverpool, Manchester, London, Eastbourne & Kent, so that they could access essential items of school uniform for their children, ensuring that they did not lose out on their education because of the current cost of living challenges that many families are dealing with.

In 2023 alone, with the help of colleagues, Vanquis banking Group:

• Donated £341.50 to buy books for Byron, Brompton, OIAMFS and Grafton School in London through our World Book Day campaign
• Hosted 2 aspiration sessions in both the Petersfield and London office for 22 students
• Provided an incredible 261 presents and £1450 worth of food vouchers through our Christmas gift campaign
• Hosted School-Home Support's annual conference in September 2023

"Our partnership is stronger than ever, evolving to meet the needs of the families who are supported. Together we have ensured children can be in school and ready to learn. We are incredibly proud of our partnership and honoured to have this recognised by making the Business Charity Awards shortlist." Cathy Prior, Social Impact Manager

Links to School Home Support:

Home - School Home Support

Practitioner Service - School Home Support

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