Almost a year on from selecting LTSB as our official charity partner, the relationship has gone from strength to strength. LTSB’s mission to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds achieve confident, long-term employment closely aligns with FI’s values. Alongside this, teams across FI have continued supporting local charities and community projects, making our collective impact broader and more meaningful than ever.
Volunteering and fundraising: making an impact
FI volunteers have directly supported 20 young people through LTSB this year, providing one-to-one mock interviews and mentoring. These sessions help participants prepare for real interviews, boosting their confidence and providing much-needed reassurance. Saira Kashif, Compliance Team Lead at FI, described supporting the learners as ‘uplifting,’ while COO Sarah Mackey called it ‘rewarding to see their enthusiasm and potential first-hand.’
First Intuition fundraising efforts have been equally impressive. Against the £10,000 target for LTSB, we’ve already raised £7,367 thanks to some standout activities across the network.
- Christmas Auction of Promises: £3,500 raised with memorable offers, from 30 Moroccan meals to FI’s largest-ever Polish cheesecake.
- Chelmsford’s football tournament and steps challenge: £1,900.
- Bake sales across the network: over £1,100.
- FI Quiz League: £850.
- Half marathon team: £1,050 from the Royal Parks Half Marathon runners.
These efforts will directly fund interview preparation for 110 young people, 50 months of pastoral support on LTSB bootcamps, and 50 places on the FutureYOU programme. The FutureYOU programme gives students workshops, career insights, and hands-on experiences with employers to build employability skills and help them make informed decisions about their futures. With a Christmas quiz (with match-funding!) and London and Cambridge auctions still to come, we’re well on our way to hitting our full target in 2026.
Supporting Local Causes Across FI
Alongside our national fundraising, FI centres continue to support local charities:
- FI Maidstone: Rounders for bemix and parkrun for Macmillan Cancer Support (£799).
- FI Chelmsford: Trussell Trust food bank collection and planning a group 3 Peaks Challenge.
- FI South West: £588 raised for the Trussell Trust and Macmillan bake sale.
- FI East Anglia: Annual Christmas Jumper Week for Save the Children.
- FI South Central: 30 Advent calendars donated for Children in Need and £255 raised through a Macmillan bake sale.
Across FI, individuals also volunteer at local parkuns, hold school governor roles, and tackle sporting challenges such as marathons and the London to Paris cycle ride.
How is FI Promoting Social Mobility in Accountancy?
FI is proud to support social mobility in accountancy through partnerships with Access Accountancy, the EY Foundation, and RISE. FI staff have contributed to mentoring programmes, workshops, school careers events, and summer schools. These initiatives help young people understand routes into the profession and access opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.
2026 Charity Outlook
As we look ahead, FI’s growing commitment to young people, social mobility, and local communities continues to make a real difference. It opens doors, creates opportunities, and inspires the next generation.
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