Strategic report
Governance
Financial statements
67 OCU Group Annual report and financial statements 2026
Social continued Creating benefits through our social activities
Add value to our communities
OCU also supported a Women’s Mental Health Group (WMHG), providing confidential peer support on wellbeing, menopause, anxiety and wider life experiences. The Leeds Seacroft office hosts the weekly Power Surge Society for peer support around perimenopause and menopause. OCU Foundation Hardship Fund: Contributions from employees, suppliers and fundraising provide timely financial help to employees and families facing unexpected hardship. The Hallé – Making world-class music accessible As a major sponsor of The Hallé, OCU supports wider access to live music, education and cultural experiences. The partnership enables schools, young people and community groups to attend performances, workshops and creative learning that may otherwise be inaccessible. Fundraising and colleague participation Fundraising remains an important part of OCU’s community impact program. Colleagues participated in local fundraising, community appeals and charitable collections across the Group.
Overview OCU creates community benefit through social value, volunteering, fundraising and cultural partnerships. Activity is informed by local need and delivered with colleagues, clients, charities, schools and community organisations. Key achievements The OCU Foundation The OCU Foundation co‑ordinates UK charitable partnerships, fundraising and support for colleagues and communities. Its second Charity Ball brought together more than 300 guests and raised £85,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust. In total, the Foundation raised £276,000 during FY26. A new national partnership with Alzheimer’s Society includes Dementia Friends sessions and a Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge to build awareness and raise funds. The Foundation supports charities, schools, food banks and community groups across UK. Work is under way to establish an OCU Foundation in Australia and New Zealand. Community wellbeing and inclusion: Since 2019, more than 500 men have engaged with the Men’s Mental Health Group (MMHG). Foundation support has helped secure a venue, fund activities and strengthen partnerships, including Goole Vikings rugby league club.
Community support: Employees and suppliers supported Wakefield Street Kitchen & Food Bank through volunteering, food and more than 260 Easter eggs. OCU also donated £500 to Summer’s Easter Mission, helping provide 224 Easter eggs in Manchester. For a fourth year, OCU supported Cash for Kids – Mission Christmas. Employees and suppliers raised £1,450, increased by OCU to £5,000, alongside donated toys. Tough Mudder: More than 20 colleagues raised over £2,000 for the OCU Foundation and Teenage Cancer Trust.
Over the Hill: RJ McLeod’s team raised nearly £7,000 through the 50-mile Highland Cross, taking fundraising since 2013 to over £51,000. Macmillan Coffee Morning: OCU teams raised £1,875 for Macmillan. Golf Charity Day: OCU – ANZ were proud to sponsor the Annual Renewable Golf Charity Day, helping to raise over A$18,000 for a children’s hospital in Sydney, New South Wales.
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