We are hugely grateful to Skipton for the incredible transformation of the garden at Sanctuary Trust’s New Street house in 2024. The Skipton International – Mortgage Sales Team did a fantastic job clearing the space and making it welcoming again with new furniture for our residents.
Skipton have continued to support Sanctuary Trust, having pitched up last summer with rubber gloves and a “can-do” attitude, spending hours transforming the overgrown courtyard at one of the three Sanctuary Trust properties into a relaxing outdoor space, even donating some garden furniture.
Although Skipton said that pressure washing isn’t normally the forte of the team, they stepped up to the challenge and the team at Sanctuary Trust – as well as the residents – were thrilled with the end result.
Charlotte Dunsterville, chief commercial officer at Skipton International, said:
“Corporate partnerships are vital to Sanctuary Trust’s mission to provide shelter and support for those experiencing homelessness. Sanctuary Trust is keen to work with caring organisations in the Island to create unique relationships that help to fight homelessness. Supporting Sanctuary Trust offers companies the chance to make a real impact while fulfilling their corporate social responsibility goals. Together, we can use our voices to create lasting change.
While there are many ways to set a business apart, few can be more powerful than a concerted effort to give back to our shared community. As a Jersey business, Skipton’s first priority is to provide award-winning service and products to its customers. This can sometimes make the idea of donating time, money or other resources feel counterintuitive to business growth. But there is something to be said for finding ways to give back to Island causes that matter. While they may not seem to have an immediate positive impact on the business’s bottom line, these efforts have a much further-reaching and longer-lasting influence than you might anticipate. In reality, finding ways to give back should be a top priority for any organisation.
We live in a time when many industries are beset by companies chasing higher profit margins. While this may temporarily appease shareholders, it certainly doesn’t generate goodwill and may not even deliver lasting financial benefits. On the other hand, authentic corporate-giving initiatives that go beyond basic cash donations, particularly volunteer efforts or creative activities to help a charity with fundraising or other needs, can generate positivity that we may not necessarily receive otherwise.
We are passionate about the Channel Islands; it’s our home and where we employ over 180 colleagues. While we can help many islanders with mortgages, the facts are that some people simply will not qualify for a mortgage, or even have a secure place where they can stay, often through no fault of their own. Therefore, helping them through charities such as Sanctuary Trust is crucial to ensure the long-term health of our community.”
