Virgin Atlantic partners with STEM Learning and Save the Children to support STEM education and disaster relief

• Virgin Atlantic announces two new partners to support its STEM education programme and disaster relief effort
• The airline’s new STEM non-profit organisation partner, STEM Learning, and disaster relief charity, Save the Children, support the airline’s vision to empower everyone to take on the world

Virgin Atlantic has announced that from October 2024, it will work with two new partners to support its core community pillars of STEM education, through its cornerstone program Passport to Change, and its disaster relief effort, using the power of its people and planes to deliver aid to communities in crisis.

The new partnership with STEM Learning will continue to support the airline’s vision to empower everyone to take on the world, aiming to transform young people’s futures by inspiring their potential career paths, removing barriers to STEM and equipping young people with the skills needed to succeed. As the largest provider of STEM education and careers support in the UK, STEM Learning will help grow Virgin Atlantic’s Passport to Change programme across the communities it serves.

Partnering with Save the Children will strengthen Virgin Atlantic’s efforts to support communities impacted by disaster, ranging from climate related events to regional conflict. The international charity aims to create lasting change for and with children affected by disaster, helping to ensure their health, safety and access to education.  The airline will be supporting Save the Children’s Emergency Fund, providing access to healthcare, food, shelter and education when disaster strikes.

Holly Boyd-Boland, Vice President Corporate Development, Virgin Atlantic, commented:

“At Virgin Atlantic, we believe everyone can take on the world. Through Passport to Change, we’re investing to create greater access to STEM education and to overcome social and economic deprivation that affects too many children today – both in the UK and abroad

“Part of our ambition for this programme is to transform young people’s futures by inspiring their career paths. We know there is a huge gender gap in STEM, and that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are disproportionately impacted. By working with STEM Learning, we aim to remove the barriers to STEM pathways and equip young people with the skills needed to succeed, driving change in the communities where we work and where we fly.

“Our collaboration with Save the Children is rooted in a shared commitment to ensuring that children affected by disasters receive the care and resources they need. Our goal is to support our communities during times of crisis, ensuring assistance is provided effectively during disasters and conflict. We’re incredibly proud to work with these two outstanding charities and we can’t wait to harness the power of our incredible people and use our business as a force for good in the communities we serve.”

Gill Collinson, Director of Strategy and Partnerships at STEM Learning, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Virgin Atlantic to support Passport to Change. Our vision is to improve lives through STEM education, and to empower young people with the skills and knowledge to thrive through effective teaching and learning – aligning perfectly with the ambitions and goals of Virgin Atlantic’s Passport to Change programme.

“We know that if young people can develop a love for STEM at an early age and be supported on the path to a rewarding and successful STEM career, this will lead to a thriving STEM economy. This programme also addresses inequality by focusing on disadvantaged areas, which further strengthens and supports our drive and passion to create a more diverse STEM talent pool across the UK.”

Gemma Sherrington, CEO, Save the Children UK, added: “With crises becoming more frequent and lasting longer, the world is an increasingly tough place to be a child. From the conflicts in Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine to the climate-induced hunger crisis in East Africa, Save the Children works to ensure that children survive and rebuild their lives in the face of disaster. By joining forces with Virgin Atlantic to combine our emergency response expertise with the airline’s extensive flight network and loyal customer base, we will be able to go the extra mile to reach many more children as soon as disaster strikes.” 

For further press information please contact the Virgin Atlantic press office on press.office@fly.virgin.com or call 01293 747373.         

As part of its new strategic direction, Virgin Atlantic will streamline its fundraising efforts by working directly with STEM Learning and Save the Children, to allow for more impact and efficiency in its community projects. As a result, the airline will no longer partner with the Virgin Atlantic Foundation which has taken the decision to conclude its charity work. The Virgin Atlantic Foundation has been instrumental in delivering community impact since 2003. Virgin Atlantic stopped collecting donations on behalf of Virgin Atlantic Foundation from 1st September 2024.

STEM Learning will be delivering activity on behalf of its charitable arm, The ENTHUSE Charitable Trust. Charity number: 1126965

About Virgin Atlantic      

Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. In 2023, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the seventh year running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs more than 8,500 people worldwide, flying customers to 30 destinations across four continents throughout the year.     

Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. In February 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers.  Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in March 2023 as the global airline alliance’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester Airport.    

Virgin Atlantic has been pioneering sustainability leadership for more than 15 years, committing to Net Zero by 2050 and continuous action that reduces environmental impact.  The airline operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the skies, with an average age under seven years. In October 2022, Virgin Atlantic welcomed its first A330-900’s to the fleet, continuing its transformation towards 100% next generation aircraft by 2028.  In November 2023, the airline led a consortium to deliver the world’s first flight across the Atlantic on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), demonstrating that 100% SAF can be used safely as a drop in fuel in existing infrastructure, engines and airframes. The need to scale production is an industry imperative and Virgin Atlantic is committed to radical collaboration across the energy chain to support commercialisation ahead of 2030.   

For more information visit www.virginatlantic.com or via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @virginatlantic.   

About STEM Learning 

STEM Learning is a non-profit organisation dedicated to raising young people’s engagement and achievement in STEM. It is the largest UK provider of STEM education and careers support to schools, colleges and community groups working with young people. 

Visit www.stem.org.uk @STEMLearningUK

About Save the Children:

Save the Children exists to create lasting change for and with children. In more than 100 countries including the UK, we make sure children stay safe, healthy and learning, and change the future for good. We find new ways to reach children, no matter where they’re growing up. For a century, we’ve stood up for children’s rights and made sure their voices are heard.

For more information visit www.savethechildren.org.uk