Why it matters: Launched on Suffolk Day on Saturday, 21 June, the '175 Good Deeds for Suffolk' initiative sees employees undertaking everything from sponsored skydives to volunteering with nature reserves. Staff have already clocked up hundreds of volunteer hours with many more activities planned.
The details: Activities range from extreme challenges to practical community support. Some employees are taking on skydives for Suffolk Mind and obstacle races for Cancer Research UK, while others are working with the Dora Brown charity to transform homes for families in crisis.
The Society's 11 Suffolk branches are also engaging with local schools. The Ipswich and Ravenswood branches are sponsoring One Sixth Form College's performing arts department, enabling year-round student performances. Meanwhile, the Hadleigh branch will deliver careers and interview support at Thomas Gainsborough School.
Staff have donated 200 Easter eggs to children and provided essential supplies to Lighthouse Women's Aid and Emmaus Suffolk, supporting women fleeing domestic violence and those facing social isolation.
What's next: The Society is launching a financial education initiative for students aged 15-18 across Suffolk schools, alongside continuing fundraising activities including Brave the Shave for Macmillan Cancer Support.
What they're saying: Richard Norrington, CEO for Suffolk Building Society, said: "We wanted to celebrate our 175th anniversary in a way that gave back to the communities we serve. I've been very humbled to see how many of our wonderful staff have stepped up to help charities, schools, and vulnerable people in Suffolk, as community is at the very heart of what we do."
He added: "Throughout every chapter of our journey, we have remained true to our roots as a member-owned building society, always prioritising people over profits."
By the numbers: The campaign supports 25 organisations, including British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, East Anglian Air Ambulance, NSPCC, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, and local schools across the county.
The bottom line: Suffolk Building Society is using its 175th anniversary to reinforce its community commitment, with every employee contributing to charitable causes across the county they serve.
It cost us ~£15 to produce this article
Our content is free to read thanks to the generous support of David Button Funeral Directors, Happiness Club and Start, Build & Grow
Independent family funeral directors
We are an independent funeral director based in Walton, Felixstowe and cover all local areas, including Ipswich.
Happiness Club
Based in Ipswich, Happiness Club is on a mission to help residents and businesses cultivate lasting happiness and wellbeing.
Wanting to start or grow your business in Ipswich?
If you have a business idea you need help launching, or a new business you need support getting established, SBG is a fantastic free programme created just for you.Ipswich to get enhanced bus services as Suffolk launches biggest expansion since 1998
Ipswich and the surrounding communities will get new and improved bus routes from late August, funded by a £2.8m government grant.
Suffolk Chamber slams Government as Suffolk snubbed in £92bn transport investment
In a blow to the Chamber and our region, the Ely/Haughley junction improvements have been excluded from transport upgrades announced today, despite the Government backing over 50 road and rail schemes across England worth £92 billion.Young creatives invited to design custom trainers in Ipswich
Professional sneaker artist Starline Customs and visual artist Benny Brown will mentor participants through creating their own unique footwear designs this month. Tickets are expected to sell fast so book while you can.Talking therapy referrals drop in Ipswich and East Suffolk
NHS talking therapy referrals in Ipswich and East Suffolk fell to 1,015 in April, down from 1,220 the previous year, new NHS figures show.'Ipswich Hospital powered by dead puppies' claim activists at protest
Twenty activists targeted a waste facility next to Ipswich Hospital on Friday, claiming that energy generated from burning dead dogs used for medical research at MBR Acres in Cambridgeshire is being used to heat the hospital.David Button Funeral Directors, Happiness Club and Start, Build & Grow
Independent family funeral directors
We are an independent funeral director based in Walton, Felixstowe and cover all local areas, including Ipswich.Happiness Club
Based in Ipswich, Happiness Club is on a mission to help residents and businesses cultivate lasting happiness and wellbeing.Wanting to start or grow your business in Ipswich?
If you have a business idea you need help launching, or a new business you need support getting established, SBG is a fantastic free programme created just for you.Suffolk firms demand no more tax rises as government faces budget hole
Local businesses are calling for a freeze on business taxes, with 74% of Suffolk firms worried about tax levels following recent National Insurance increases. It comes after government welfare concessions scrapped £5bn in planned savings, raising concerns that Autumn's budget will bring further tax rises.Local law firm Attwells ranked 22nd in national apprenticeship league
Attwells Solicitors has been named the highest-rated law firm in England's Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers for 2025, taking 22nd place overall.Buttermarket unveils 'Chatty Bench' to tackle loneliness
The Buttermarket has installed the "Chatty Bench" after security staff noticed people sitting alone for hours and began offering friendly conversations to combat loneliness.Rapping reverend drops debut album addressing youth trauma
An Ipswich priest who performs under the name Hybrid has released a hip-hop album designed to open conversations about difficult topics affecting local young people.Four men charged after 'significant amount' of cocaine and cannabis seized during drug warrants
Four men, including three from Ipswich and Great Blakenham, have been charged with drugs offences following police warrants in Ipswich that uncovered large quantities of suspected cocaine and cannabis last Tuesday.David Button Funeral Directors, Happiness Club and Start, Build & Grow
Independent family funeral directors
We are an independent funeral director based in Walton, Felixstowe and cover all local areas, including Ipswich.Happiness Club
Based in Ipswich, Happiness Club is on a mission to help residents and businesses cultivate lasting happiness and wellbeing.Wanting to start or grow your business in Ipswich?
If you have a business idea you need help launching, or a new business you need support getting established, SBG is a fantastic free programme created just for you.Ipswich man given suspended sentence for arson and stalking
A 62-year-old man from Ipswich has been handed an 18-month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to arson and stalking offences at Ipswich Crown Court.Major local employers unite behind Northern Bypass in bid to end Ipswich's traffic 'stalemate'
Nine major employers have broken their silence on the town's transport crisis, declaring the current situation "simply not acceptable" for a region of such economic significance as they unite behind an Ipswich Northern Bypass bid.
