Islington · Since 2012

Macquarie volunteers at volunteering event

We connect businesses with Islington's communities to create positive social impact.

We make social impact easier, more effective and more rewarding for our business partners, and channel your team's time and skills to where Islington needs them most.

Join us

How would you like to work with us in Islington?

I’m a business → Give your colleagues meaningful volunteering in Islington, from team days to skills-based programmes. I’m a community organisation → Get skilled volunteers and practical help for your charity or community group. I’m a school or college → Connect your students with mentors, career insights and the world of work.

Gold Award - Best Educational Programme

At the Corporate Engagement Awards, October 2026, BIG Alliance, MUFG and City of London Academy, Highgate Hill were awarded Gold for our work on Young Minds, Brighter Futures.

Now in its third year, the programme has delivered 50 events, engaged 356 MUFG volunteers and reached students through more than 3,400 individual touchpoints, ranging from career insight visits and work experience placements to international trips.

2025/2026 in numbers

Challenge

2,365

volunteers on Team Challenges, transforming Islington’s places and spaces

Empower

81

volunteers shared professional skills to strengthen local charities

Inspire

211

volunteers helped young people in Islington discover their potential

Engage

53

volunteers spent time with residents and built real connections

Mentoring Works 2025–26

189

Islington students and business mentors took part: 102 young people, including 11 students with special educational needs, matched with 87 mentors from our partners.

Sources: BIG Alliance programme data, April 2025 – March 2026; Mentoring Works, 2025–26 academic year.

“Highly Commended” at Business Charity Awards

This May, CoRe received a High Commendation for the Consortium Award, recognising the impact of this partnership between Macquarie Group, Slaughter and May, Expedia Group and delivered by the BIG Alliance.

Four ways your teams can make a difference

Every BIG Alliance opportunity sits under one of four pillars. Choose the one that fits your team, or combine them across the year.

Challenge

Volunteers in work gloves using a drill on a garden project

Roll up your sleeves to transform Islington’s places and spaces.

Practical team days for 5–40 colleagues at adventure playgrounds, parks, community centres and schools.

Empower

Business volunteers working with charity staff around laptops

Share your professional skills to strengthen local charities.

BoardMatch, Leaders in Partnership, Emerging Leaders, Compass and half-day Capacity Support workshops.

Inspire

A student shaking hands with a business volunteer at a careers event

Help young people in Islington discover their potential.

Mentoring Works, Career Insight Visits, Mock Interviews, Enterprise Days and CV reviews.

Engage

Volunteers in conversation with local residents around a table

Spend time with residents and build real connections.

Social Hubs with older residents, Time to Talk, Conversational English and career talks for refugees.

Toy Appeal 2026

Help make this Christmas magic

Too many children in Islington and across east London grow up in poverty. In some parts of east London, it’s more than half. For over 35 years, the ELBA & BIG Alliance Toy Appeal has made sure children who would otherwise go without still wake up to a gift. This year, we’re going bigger and greener, and there are three ways your team can help families in Islington and beyond.

Join the Toy Dash

Until mid-November

Grab your colleagues, set a team budget and race to shop for an age group we give you. Fast, fun and a little bit competitive, with every toy going to a child in Islington or east London who needs it.

Sign up your team

Colour it green

Donate during November

Help us cut the waste. We’re collecting spare fabric for furoshiki-style wrapping, old comics and maps to use as gift wrap, and rechargeable batteries and chargers to go with the gifts.

Arrange a donation

Tell their story

Skills-based volunteering

Put your skills to work for the Islington and east London community organisations behind the appeal. Film their work, write a case study, build a photo library, or review their website and social media.

Offer your skills

The Toy Appeal is part of our Challenge pillar. Not a business partner yet? Find out how to join.

Learn more