People & purpose

5 Million Futures: the power of collaboration

By working with organisations that share our purpose, we increase our impact. Our 5 Million Futures (5MF) programme supports schools, charities and social impact organisations to break down educational and employment barriers to get more young and under-represented people where they want to go.

In collaborating, we want to create five million better futures across Deloitte North and South Europe by 2030 and contribute to our WorldClass ambition of impacting 100 million futures globally. Some of our relationships are long-standing, such as our proud 15-year partnership with Teach First. Others, including partnerships with 30 regional and national charities, have, through 5MF, flourished in recent years.

Much of our support happens through volunteering – in the past year...

3,500

colleagues have given over...

31,700

hours to...

86

charity partners, schools and social impact organisations

9,700

pro bono hours provided

Over the same period...

£1m

surpassed in employee fundraising and donations

£8m

in total community contribution

Community Contribution is the monetary value of volunteer and pro bono time given by employees, fundraising, cash contributions and management costs for societal impact causes. In all, our contribution during FY22 has impacted over 345,000 futures. 

And feedback shows it’s valued. Two thirds of our society partners (66 per cent) have said 5MF has been more beneficial than other corporate programmes due to its holistic approach to volunteering, fundraising and pro bono support, and we’re thrilled that 97 per cent rated their experience working with us as good or excellent.

Two partnerships in action

The Prince’s Trust

Accelerated digital transformation was a huge priority for many of our charity partners during the pandemic. For youth charity The Prince’s Trust, it was essential. The organisation is needed now more than ever, with unemployment among young people reaching a record high, and mental health and wellbeing, at an all-time low.

Deloitte experts gave 1,500 pro-bono hours to support The Prince’s Trust to develop a digital strategy and pivot services online in response to COVID-19, so young people could access their services virtually – and feel comfortable and safe doing so.

It meant the charity could adapt its services to support individuals starting their own businesses, improve social mobility for marginalised young people and unlock the potential in many more.

By enabling The Prince’s Trust to rethink its business model and map out a path to 2025, this work will impact more than 150,000 young lives.

Our people also enthusiastically raised much needed funds for the charity and volunteered directly with The Trust’s youth beneficiaries to develop employability skills and insights into the working world.

"Working with the team at Deloitte has put The Prince’s Trust in a stronger position to implement a clear strategy for the direction of the organisation and, ultimately, for the young people we support. We look forward to building on and bringing to life the proposition we have developed together. It’s clear Deloitte shares our commitment to creating positive futures for young people across the UK."

Jonathan Townsend

CEO, The Prince’s Trust

Mind

Demand for mental-health support is increasing, and waiting lists are growing. For organisations like Mind, a long-standing Deloitte partner, reaching people in need has never been more important.

To support Mind, in May 2022, Deloitte Digital performed pro bono deep dive research into the charity’s job application and hiring processes. The project team explored ways to streamline Mind’s process and systems, and integrated accessible, inclusive and diverse ways to better source a high-calibre talent pool.

Deloitte’s pro-bono support will help streamline the digital recruitment experience for applicants and improve accessibility, with a focus on people from racialised communities, people with disabilities and people in poverty. The ultimate aim is to help Mind recruit a more diverse, high-calibre workforce.

Thomas Barker, Mind Corporate Partnerships Team


We had previously helped boost Mind’s digital presence, and again supported the charity when the pandemic hit the high street and all its charity shops, which contribute a third of its revenue, closed.

With in-store donations on pause and no online shop existing, Mind asked for Deloitte’s assistance to improve its retail strategy, identify additional income streams and support with shipping stock. So we put out an open call for colleagues across the firm to come up with new ideas.

The 141 suggestions were presented in a Dragon’s Den-style showdown as part of a refresh of Mind’s strategy. Many of the highly rated ones recommended using social media platforms, like Depop and eBay, to shift stock with a Mind Mystery Box, where buyers could select three types of items and receive three mystery items

To generate revenue, colleagues also proposed auctions, partnering with a mobile app or game and letting people gift services/products on behalf of others. The ideation challenge was a remarkably successful employee engagement drive, with hundreds rallying to support and raise awareness for Mind and the trials charities face in a difficult economic climate.

The Hour Appeal gave employees the option to donate an hour of their salary and in 2022 raised almost £50,000 for Mind. But a truly memorable highlight of the partnership was the celebration concert – desperately needed after the isolation experienced by many during COVID-19. Deloitte colleagues old and new, friends, family and wellbeing influencers sang and danced together to celebrate and raise over £10,000 for Mind.

More examples of our support

We’re helping under-represented groups into employment through programmes and bursaries.

“Deloitte's strategic support has been transformative to our charity. As a trusted corporate partner to Blueprint for All, the support has helped to amplify our message and reach, and provide tangible opportunities to our beneficiaries and team.”
Chelsea Way
Blueprint for All

“Partnerships that are truly collaborate and flex to meet the needs of the other always have the greatest impact, and that is what our partnership with Deloitte is like. Deloitte are one of our longest, most strategic partnerships, and your ongoing support has enabled us to provide thousands of schools with the resources and infrastructure they need to thrive. It has been such a pleasure working with your fantastic employees since 2007, and we’re excited to see where the next 15 years takes us. Thank you!”
Jessica McClymont
Head of Corporate Fundraising, Teach First

“One of the most valuable aspects of our partnership is the time and expertise donated by Deloitte volunteers. Deloitte employees share key skills and experience with the teachers and leaders on our programme through a variety of volunteering and pro-bono initiatives, including the Teach First Coaching Programme, the Careers Leaders Business Directory, and the Impact Labs, which provide new headteachers and executive leaders on the NPQ Programme with expert training and support. This contribution from Deloitte elevates Teach First programmes, enabling our community of educators to access the best training possible, whilst helping us to stand out in a competitive market.”
Teach First

“To any new headteacher that gets the opportunity to take part in an Impact Lab – I’d say do it, it’s a hugely valuable exercise. I’d thoroughly recommend it."
Will Mackintosh
Head teacher and Deloitte Impact Lab participant

“The longevity of our partnership with Deloitte is so valuable because we have been able to work collaboratively, shaping our priorities and approach to reflect the schools needs and ensure we are working towards a shared goal of a fair education for all.”
Teach First

Contact

Deloitte

Responsible Business

Further reading

Environmental, social & governance (ESG)

Sparking sustainable thinking (and action)

A lightbulb moment. We all know that feeling when we get one. It’s a breakthrough. A moment of inspiration. Of realisation. Something that makes you question how you think about the world. And leads you to live life differently.

Read article
People & purpose

Deloitte volunteers are helping to change futures

By helping to tackle social inequality, we can achieve our goal of improving five million futures across the UK, and 100 million globally, by 2030. And more colleagues than ever are giving up their time to support our ambition.

Read article
Environmental, social & governance (ESG)

One planet.
Many perspectives.
Better ideas.

It’s true for any project, but it’s especially true for climate change. It’s urgent. It’s complicated. We need to get to net zero and arrive at a better future for all. There isn’t one clear path to follow. And old ideas don’t apply.

Read article
Empowering communities through tech

When Stella McCartney met Netflix’s Sex Education

Self-checking for breast cancer can be awkward to talk about. Even if we know we should check regularly, it can be easy to bury our heads in the sand – or even forget. But the power to take positive action lies in our own hands. Literally.

Read article
Future of work

Newcastle: building a workplace that’s fit for the future

Deloitte’s new hybrid working approach means our people are able to choose when, where and how to work.

Read article
Environmental, social & governance (ESG)

Imagine a future you want: creating a vision for COP26

More businesses than ever have committed to a net-zero future. But what does that actually look like?

Read article
People & purpose

2022: a year of allyship

What does an ally look like? At Deloitte, we believe everyone has the power to be an ally, visibly and vocally standing up for the rights of others.

Read article
People & purpose

Tech support to bridge the digital divide

The pandemic forced everyone to adapt to a new digital landscape as organisations rushed to move their services online. But this meant the skills and inclusion gap, that was already apparent before COVID-19, only widened.

Read article

Share with your connections