How we work
The Multibank charity is a powerful partnership of businesses, charities, public and community sector organisations working together across six regions in Britain to meet the needs of people experiencing poverty, with a particular focus on children and families.
A hand up, not a hand out
The charity was founded on the idea that businesses have perfectly good products they cannot sell and there are families going without – in solving a business problem, we can alleviate challenges too many families are facing on a daily basis.
As our operations have grown across six regions in Britain – the North East, North West, West Midlands and London in England, as well as Scotland and Wales, with our seventh site in Yorkshire coming soon – it has become clear that demand for essential items is so high that we now also welcome product donations and low-cost purchasing.
Goods from business arrive at our regional warehouses, are sorted and catalogued, and flow out through a trusted network of teachers, health visitors, social workers and other professionals from the public, voluntary and community sectors – people who already know which households are struggling.
Goods are socially prescribed, free at the point of delivery, and dignified at every step. People and families do not queue. There is no public-facing crisis service. Help arrives through people they already trust – a hand up, not a hand out.
Our Operating Model
Our operating model is a simple one, redirect otherwise surplus goods to the children, families and people that could really benefit from them.
Working closely with our corporate partners, community partners and regional Multibanks, we support local needs by accessing a wide range of goods that really make a difference to people’s lives – from dental hygiene products to children’s books, bedding and towels to deodorant, and sanitary products to clothing.
Here’s how it works:
