The Bank Workers Charity is to hold a series of roundtable discusssions with fellow benevolent funds, trusts and foundations, to explore social investment and the potential for collaboration.

The events, which will start next month, have been prompted by new guidance this week from the Charity Commission on the investment of charitable funds, which advises that social investment is a legitimate model for a charity to consider.

The Bank Workers Charity (BWC) wants the discussions to explore the potential, risks and sustainability of social investment. To express interest email  [email protected]

Fred Payne (pictured), its chief executive, who announced the roundtables and a consultation from BWC on social investment last night, said: “There are huge opportunities from the developments of social investment. It could help us deliver new services more quickly and at lower cost. We also believe it would be a great way to generate new funds to help us grow our range of services, benefit more clients and keep the good work we’re doing going, well into the future.

"Ultimately, it gives us more ways to deliver our vision. First though, we need to answer some key questions.”

The Bank Workers Charity was previously known as the Bankers Benevolent Fund. Its new name and brand reflects changes in its service model - plus it was keen to distance itself from the word 'banker'.

Paul Haynes, chair of BWC’s grants and services committee, told the audience last night that the charity was now more of a service provider than a grant-giver - even though the number of new grants awarded last year grew by 91 per cent on the year before.

BWC now offers support and services for current and former bank workers and their families in three areas: wellbeing, home and money.

It has also developed a number of partnerships with charities to support its beneficiaries, including the National Autistic Society, Leonard Cheshire Disability and more recently Arthritis Care.