NatWest Social & Community Capital

NatWest Social & Community Capital offers lending to social enterprises and community businesses who are unable to access mainstream finance. The past year has been challenging and disruptive in so many ways and the work of these purpose-led organisations has never been so significant. In this environment the S&CC team have stepped in, adapting their lending and pivoting their financial products to ensure that purpose-led organisations can continue their crucial work supporting vulnerable groups. As well as offering flexible repayment and bespoke support for existing customers, the S&CC team successfully designed and implemented a brand new £1 million grant fund offering emergency capital to 33 social enterprises and community organisations. This agile response transformed the funding approach from a loans-based model to grant funding and was achieved in only three weeks. This small team was able to punch well-above its weight, providing accessible financial support at pace, and facilitating meaningful impact across the UK.