2022 has been an action-packed year for all of us at Future Planning. There have been fun days out, from teambuilding exercises and charity volunteering days to music festivals and the Swindon Old Town Christmas light switch-on.

We’ve been delighted to sponsor local events and support the Swindon-based charities that mean so much to us.

As 2022 draws to a close – and we start to look forward to everything 2023 might bring – there is just time to take a quick look back at the year just past.

So keep reading for your Future Planning team update – “Review of the Year” 

Narrow escapes, animal rescues, and new Friends of Old Town

Back in April, you might’ve read about our latest teambuilding trip to Swindon’s City Mazes escape room. 

Having previously found ourselves locked in a scientist’s lab amid a zombie apocalypse, this time we made the mistake of pulling into a creepy-looking hostel after a long road trip, only to be taken hostage.

Sadly, despite some success during previous escape room visits, on this occasion we were unable to escape, falling just one clue short. The fact that we were handcuffed together in groups of three probably didn’t help!

We also embarked on a new partnership with the RSPCA Oak and Furrows Wildlife Rescue Centre in Cricklade. We had a great day volunteering and helping out with the rescued deer, foxes, hedgehogs, and bats.

It’s a partnership that will be continuing into the new year as we look to become part of the wildlife rehabilitation programme. Ana and Sanjay will be helping out with the soft release of hand-reared animals like hedgehogs, fox, deer, and several birds of prey including owls as they get released back into the wild. It’s a project we all care deeply about.

Celebrating Earth Day by going carbon neutral… and beyond!

Also in April, we celebrated Earth Day 2022 by announcing that Future Planning had become a carbon-neutral business.

We are officially climate positive, meaning that you can work with us in the knowledge that our interactions won’t detrimentally affect the environment.

Our continuing work with Ecologi means that we are committed to planting 10 trees for each of our staff members, every month. We also plant 100 trees for each new client. These incentives have helped us plant more than 1,500 trees, offsetting more than 42 tonnes of CO2 since Earth Day 2022.

We have also helped to fund several renewable energy projects in developing countries worldwide.

“My dad is bigger than your dad” festival

In July, we were delighted and proud to act as the main sponsor for the “My dad is bigger than your dad” festival in aid of Prospect Hospice.

With well over 500 tickets sold in the lead-up to the event and 200-plus volunteers, around 1,000 people enjoyed the day. The event raised more than £7,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. 

Local bands were on hand to provide the entertainment, while local caterers and businesses (including an Indian food stall and burger outlet) and the local pub provided refreshments. There was a craft market too, with stalls selling candles and locally produced art.

Future Planning handed out goodies before clocking off later in the evening. We enjoyed the music as festivalgoers, meeting people in the crowd and getting to know everyone. The whole team had a great time and were delighted to be part of such a brilliant day and a great cause.

Future Planning joins the Friends of Old Town at Swindon’s big Christmas lights switch-on

Earlier in the year, we told you about the Friends of Old Town, a scheme to help local people access discounts at restaurants, bars and local businesses. Future Planning are fully signed-up members, along with 80 other independent retailers and businesses.

This year, Future Planning (alongside Talk Talk, Domino’s, Los Gatos, and Deacons) co-sponsored the Christmas light switch-on, which was held on Sunday 27 November.

Alongside fun for the kids and a Christmas market for the adults, there was live music and a celebrity headliner!

Our local primary school were the first to perform, followed by performers from the Lawn Manor School of Dance and Marc Hopkins, a Robbie Williams tribute act. An afternoon and evening of great entertainment were capped by our star guest, Duncan James from the boyband Blue. 

Around 5,000 people had a great time, soaking up the Christmas spirit and enjoying the show. We at Future Planning were delighted to be a part of it.

Even more fun is planned for 2023

Stay tuned early in the new year to find out what else we got up to as 2022 draws to a close. Highlights will include announcing the winner of our World Cup sweepstakes, the lowdown from our Christmas party, and all the results from the local lawn bowls club championship we are sponsoring in December.

2023 promises to be another great year for Future Planning, with more charity volunteer work lined up, alongside teambuilding exercises and a continued commitment to the environment.

In other team news: Some career milestones

Future Planning has a great team of dedicated professionals and this month marks some important anniversaries.

Client services executive Sam celebrates her first anniversary as part of the Future Planning family. 

Client Services Executive Edi recently celebrated two years with us.

Sian, meanwhile, has been an independent mortgage adviser here at Future Planning for five years!

Congratulations to you all!