Community
Payments at the heart of communities
We recognise that some form of payment typically lies at the
heart of any developed community activity and therefore should be
sustainable and inclusive. Given our position at the heart of UK
payments, we are also aware of the risk to our business if volumes
of payments are impacted by the changes in our communities caused
by the rising levels of unemployment, decreases in take home pay
relative to inflation and reductions in community funding.
To explore potential new ways to pay, we undertook
groundbreaking international research into consumer attitudes to
mobile payments which included older people and small business
owners who are currently impacted by the current downturn in the UK
economy. Importantly, the Third Sector were also engaged in this
research in addition to our research into charitable giving through
mobile payments.
Creating mutual economic value through social benefit
We have adopted a mutual benefit approach to our work with
charity partners, creating formal agreements which show our
commitment to strengthening our surrounding communities
We have successfully harnessed the power of our community
partnerships to create stronger advocacy with key clients, and this
has been demonstrated by improved NPS® scores.
We encourage our employees to become involved in the surrounding
communities, lending their voluntary support to worthwhile
programmes that improve the quality of life and opportunities of
its members. Mentoring is another popular option and we're
developing strong connections with local schools. We were recently
recognised by Young Enterprise and received an award for our
"outstanding support for enterprise education in school."
VocaLink CSR Ambassadors
We focus on supporting and inspiring young people in our local
communities. We have dedicated CSR Ambassadors, who we support in
helping them to achieve their dreams. In return they inspire others
through the VocaLink schools programme.
Central to the VocaLink ethos is providing support to
inspirational young people with uncommon ambition. We understand
that our actions and backing make a real difference.
In 2010 we supported Bonita Norris when she
became the youngest British woman to reach the summit of Everest.
Our partnership has continued throughout her VocaLink-backed tour
of schools in the UK, during which Bonita has inspired youth in our
local communities.
Despite extensive trips across the UK, which is an adventure in
itself, Bonita's desire to explore far-flung and rather chilly
corners of the earth remains undiminished. During 2011,
VocaLink were again proud to sponsor Bonita in her latest
expedition, the VocaLink North Pole
Challenge. During this campaign Bonita succeeded in
raising £10,000 for the Forces Children's
Trust, with the help of the British public who topped up their
pay as you go mobile phones at an ATM.
We also have an update on previous CSR ambassador, Mike
Perham. In 2009, VocaLink helped to facilitate 17-year-old
Mike's dream of becoming the youngest-ever round the world solo
yachtsman through sponsorship. Having completed a tour of UK
schools, also sponsored by us, the Potters Bar sailing hero has a
new global ambition - to fly solo around the world.
In 2009 Mike joined VocaLink at the Sibos payments conference in
Hong Kong and delivered his inspirational message to young people
at the Island School and the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.
Whilst at the Island School we met another remarkable young
person called Ajit Gidwani, a student who put his
life on hold to lead a transformation programme at the Kabliji
School in India. Impressed with Ajit's selfless determination
VocaLink agreed to support his continued efforts to improve the
lives of the children at the school.
Read Ajit's account of his personal journey in
Kabliji School - An inspirational story.