Banked is proud to be a Technology Partner for Comic Relief.

Banked is proud to be a Technology Partner for Comic Relief and are delighted to be working with them on enabling fundraising through our platform and providing fee free donations with Pay by Bank. 

Having just recovered from our Red Nose Day fundraising activities – the challenge of spending the day dressed as a pineapple was a career first for me (London, we definitely need more smiles on the morning commute!), Comic Relief invited me to see first hand the impact of fundraising.

I had the pleasure in joining a lovely group of women from broadcasting, talent management and tech who work with Comic Relief to see how some of the money goes to organisations that really make a difference in people’s lives.

I visited the Luminary Bakery in North London. They are a social enterprise providing training, employment and community to some of the most disadvantaged women in London. They use baking as a tool to take women on a journey to employability and entrepreneurship but it’s not just baking, there’s a lot of other support including mentoring and financial education. Women get the opportunity to learn skills that help build their career – some within the bakery, some in other industries and some even setting up their own businesses.

It's great to hear that with the funding support they have received Luminary Bakery has grown from its small beginnings to help even more disadvantaged women in London. 

It wasn’t a baking demo though, we got our hands mucky and did our own baking. The warm and effervescent Aine took us through the steps to make our own soda bread – no proofing, no kneading and no starter to nurture – not as daunting as I thought it would be. Thank you Aine for being a great baking teacher, the honey and oat soda bread got a big thumbs up from the kids.  

There are a couple of really nice touches the team does that I wanted to also mention that gave me some ideas for us at Banked too – “Wellness Wednesdays” with a range of fun activities for the team, a graduation ceremony for everyone at the end of their apprenticeship and an alumni group for keeping in touch and providing an ongoing support network. 

I am really pleased we are doing our bit at Banked to help amazing organisations like this one. Thanks to the Luminary Bakery for welcoming me, your kitchen smells AMAZING, and the cakes look delicious. If anyone is in need of a birthday cake or just a pick me up, you know where to go.

Visit the Luminary Bakery here.