In Focus: Vulnerability  

Philanthropy: how advisers stepped up during Covid-19

Also, according to Quilter, the most researched topics by advisers on the hub were:

  • Anxiety
  • Sleep
  • Burnout
  • Coronavirus
  • Relationships.

Mr Feeney added: "The brand is not what you say but who you are. We are trying to make a difference, rather than just build profit."

Article continues after advert

Smaller advisory firms have also stepped up to the plate to help vulnerable clients, communities and each other. 

For example, in December 2020, Cura Financial Services' Christmas Parkinsons UK Fundraiser raised £3,518 via Justgiving (not including gift aid), one of many virtual events the team carried out during 2020 to help raise funds for important charities and various causes. 

Members of the Cura team also took part in the #TwoPointSixChallenge, from Sunday 26 April to Friday 22 May, completing different tasks surrounding the 2.6 theme, completed over 26 days raising money for Breast Cancer Now and for Saint Catherine's Hospice, as well as hosting a Cake Stall on May 8 with a VE Day theme.

Elsewhere, Manchester-based Equilibrium Financial Planning donated more than £130,000 to charity in the 2019 to 2020 financial year. 

In total, Equilibrium donated £133,961 to 66 charitable organisations, following the appointment of a philanthropy adviser to help target charities and organisations which had been hardest hit by the pandemic and required urgent financial assistance.

The adviser, Andrew Evans of Think Philanthropy, also supports Equilibrium’s clients with their own personal philanthropic endeavours.

Debbie Jukes, partner and head of client care at Equilibrium, and trustee of The Equilibrium Foundation, said: “We have always felt it our duty to pay that forward and to commit to bettering the lives of local charities, people in our community and even those based further afield who might benefit from our support.

“It’s something we take extremely seriously, and it forms part of our dedication to doing business better."

simoney.kyriakou@ft.com