The Sheffield Metro Bank celebrated its first birthday this week (June 22nd) and despite launching in a pandemic as part of the UK’s best community bank, the Sheffield colleagues have worked hard over the past year to not only serve their customers but offer much needed help in the local community.
“Undoubtedly this has been a strange year with many challenges”, explains store manager Chris Gore. “But I am so proud of my colleagues who have reached out across the local community to provide support in a number of ways.”
Sheffield Metro Bank colleagues donated 44kg of food and toiletries to the Burngrave Foodbank – enough to create over 100 meals. Burngreave Foodbank provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are in crisis. They are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK
In the UK, more than 14 million people are living in poverty – including 4.5 million children. Between April 2019 and March 2020, the Trussell Trust provided a record 1.9 million food supplies to people in crisis, an 18% increase on the previous year and during the coronavirus pandemic food banks have seen need rise even further.
The store also played host to Buddy – a support dog in training. Metro Bank has always welcomed dogs in store – providing water bowls, organic treats and even a branded bandana for every four legged visitor. Buddy was accompanied by his handler at Support Dogs who provided insight into the training Buddy is going through. Support Dogs is dedicated to increasing independence and quality of life for people with various medical conditions and the charity provides, trains and supports specialist assistance dogs to achieve this.
Metro Bank’s Sheffield store can be found at 58-64 Fargate, Sheffield, S1 2HE, The store is currently open Monday – Saturday 08:30am - 6pm. Sunday: 11am - 5pm