Nationwide and Shelter share many concerns, including the affordability of housing, and a desire to do everything possible to help people to remain in their homes.

In November 2008, Shelter and Nationwide launched a new partnership supporting Shelter’s homelessness services for families, children and young people in Bristol.

Nationwide employees will be getting involved, donating shoe boxes of presents at Christmas for homeless families and recycling their unwanted mobile phones in January to raise money for Shelter.

Shelter and Nationwide Building Society have been working in partnership for many years. Between 2000 and 2002 Nationwide Building Society sponsored Strip 4 Shelter, which raised over £750,000, and in 2004 Nationwide supported advice services in Bristol.

Caroline Hallatt, Nationwide’s head of corporate responsibility, said: ’As a leading provider of funds for social housing and the UK’s third largest mortgage provider, Nationwide has a strong interest in all issues affecting housing.

‘We’re delighted to be working with Shelter to offer support to those who need it most in our local region. We hope that those using Shelter’s services will benefit from the additional facilities that our funding will provide.’