Local social enterprise is one of the first to receive support from new crowdfunding partnership

Goldfinger Factory, a Notting Hill-based social enterprise which recycles and upcycles old material to create bespoke furniture, has received £10,000 of matched funding from Santander’s new Changemaker Fund to help improve the employability of local youngsters.

The Fund, which was launched at the end of last year as part of an innovative collaboration between Santander and a rewards-based crowdfunding platform is designed to help social enterprises, small charities and community groups deliver projects that improve communities and help disadvantaged people to have confidence in the future.

Goldfinger Factory provides skills, training and support to people looking for or returning to employment, as well as offering designers, makers and craftspeople a platform to develop and sell bespoke furniture and home accessories. All products are handmade from recycled and upcycled materials from landfill sites, supporting the environment as well as the local community. The additional funding will provide a training programme for young people between the ages of 16-25 who are not in full-time education to help increase their employability and offer them a brighter future.

Sue Douthwaite, Managing Director of Santander Business Banking, commented: “We are thrilled to support Goldfinger Factory and this great initiative to help local young people to reach their full potential with the right skills and support. We look forward to seeing how the project develops and we hope this provides the youngsters with confidence and optimism for the future.”

Marie Cudennec, Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder at Goldfinger Factory, commented: “Through the Changemaker Fund we are closer to our goal of expanding into two new sites in London and offering more long-term training programmes to young people, ensuring our trainees become skilled craftspeople.”

The new Changemaker Fund, www.crowdfunder.co.uk/changemaker, is part of Santander’s flagship community programme, The Discovery Project, which aims to inspire people to have confidence in the future through projects that build skills, grow knowledge and support innovation.

By working together with Crowdfunder, Santander aims to enable entrepreneurs and community groups to tackle social challenges and create positive local impact. Eligible projects seeking funding of up to £20,000 and focussed on skills, knowledge and innovation that get the crowd’s backing will receive 50% of their funding requirement from Santander to ensure the enterprise reaches its target.

As well as access to the £200,000 matched funding from Santander, projects will benefit from crowdfunding team specialists with education, enterprise and coaching support to unlock further funds and create lasting impacts in communities across the UK.

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About Santander
Santander UK
is a financial services provider in the UK that offers a wide range of personal and commercial financial products and services. It has brought real competition to the UK, through its innovative products for retail customers and relationship banking model for UK SMEs. At 31 December 2016, the bank serves around 14 million active customers with c20,000 employees and operates through 841 branches (which includes 60 university branches) and 67 regional Corporate Business Centres. Santander UK is subject to the full supervision of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) in the UK. Santander UK plc customers are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the UK.

Banco Santander (SAN SM, STD US, BNC LN) is a leading retail and commercial bank, headquartered in Spain, with a meaningful market share in 10 core countries in Europe and the Americas. It is among the world’s top banks by market capitalization. The bank’s purpose is to help people and businesses prosper, in a way that is simple, personal and fair. Founded in 1857, Santander had EUR 1.52 trillion in managed funds, 125 million customers, 12,200 branches and 188,000 employees at the close of 2016. Santander made attributable profit of EUR 6,204 million in 2016, an increase of 4% compared to the previous year.

About Goldfinger Factory
Goldfinger Factory empowers communities to transform lives through craftsmanship and design. The factory provides skills, training and helps assist people in gaining or returning to employment as well as offering designers, makers and craftspeople a platform to develop and sell bespoke furniture and interiors. For more information please visit http://www.goldfingerfactory.com/about/

Media Enquiries
Sarah Webster     T: 020 7756 5533 M: 07568 112 529 E: sarah.webster@santander.co.uk  
Stephanie Harris T: 020 7756 4221 M: 07841 506 668 E: stephanie.harris@santander.co.uk

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