Wellington Place is more than just bricks and mortar, it’s a thriving community powered by people. This series of interviews aims to highlight some of the people of Wellington Place, share their inspirational stories and find out why Wellington Place is much more than just a place to work.
Since 2023, Lloyds Banking Group colleagues have raised £5.2 million and volunteered 13,000 hours in support of Crisis and Simon Community, helping people take their next steps out of homelessness. 60 colleagues are preparing to take that support even further with a fundraising trek through the Himalayas, walking for six to eight hours a day at altitudes of up to 3,000 metres.
Joining them is Santosh Mehmi, an Integrator at Lloyds Banking Group’s Wellington Place office; his responsibilities are similar to those of a Programme or Project Manager. Four years after suffering a cardiac arrest and undergoing a quadruple heart bypass, Santosh is taking on the challenge both to raise vital funds and prove to himself how far he has come. We caught up with him to talk about his motivation, his £6,000 fundraising target and how he’s preparing for the adventure ahead – from scaling Scafell Pike to tackling the gym stepper in a weighted vest.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your role at Lloyds Banking Group?
I’m Santosh Mehmi and I’ve worked at Lloyds Banking Group for a number of years. My role is an Integrator, which is similar to a Programme Manager. I help support and manage teams as they deliver different initiatives across the business.
You’ve been selected to take part in Lloyds Banking Group’s Himalayas Trek. What will the challenge involve?
The Himalayas Trek is Lloyds Banking Group’s signature fundraising challenge in support of Crisis and Simon Community. Hundreds of colleagues apply anonymously before a panel chooses the successful participants, and I’m one of 60 lucky people selected.
We’ll travel from Delhi to Dharamshala at the foot of the Himalayas, before trekking for six to eight hours and covering around 20 kilometres each day. We’ll reach altitudes of up to 3,000 metres, camping and staying in cabins along the way, so it’s going to be a challenge, to say the least!
What inspired you to apply, and why is this cause personally important to you?
My motivation is simply to help others and do whatever I can to support people experiencing homelessness. A home is a luxury we can all take for granted. How would it feel not to have somewhere you can go, lock the door and feel safe and secure? That’s something many individuals and families don’t have, and doing something to help them is the reason I’m taking on this trek.
We’ve probably all seen someone experiencing homelessness and wanted to help, but ended up walking past. This trek is an opportunity to do something practical, give something back and make a difference with the support of everyone who donates.
You’ve overcome a major health challenge of your own. How has that shaped your decision to take on the trek?
Four years ago, I suffered a cardiac arrest and was unconscious for seven minutes. I was diagnosed with a genetic condition I hadn’t known about and ended up having a quadruple heart bypass.
Taking on the Himalayas is therefore a very personal challenge. As well as raising money and helping others, I want to prove to myself that I can do it. Completing the trek would be a huge personal milestone.
How are you preparing for the physical challenge – and the £6,000 fundraising target?
My personal fundraising target is £6,000, and reaching it hasn’t been as easy as I initially hoped. I’ve been exploring ideas including bake sales, sponsored walks and volunteering, as well as spreading the word through Lloyds’ internal Teams groups and my JustGiving page.
I already train six days a week, but I need to prepare for walking long distances on consecutive days. I’ll be climbing Scafell Pike in July to recreate the demands of the trek as closely as possible. The stepper at the gym is also my new best friend – I use it with a weighted vest three or four times a week!
What are you most looking forward to, and is there anything you’re feeling nervous about?
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I’m incredibly grateful to have been chosen. I’m looking forward to sharing the experience with the other 59 participants. We’ve already met in Edinburgh and have a Teams group where we exchange fundraising ideas, training tips and kit recommendations.
The part I’m less excited about is the camping – I hate it with a vengeance! My biggest fear is other people snoring, so we’ve been told to pack earplugs and a blindfold. At the same time, you can’t expect luxury hotels while raising money for people experiencing homelessness. The discomfort will offer a small reminder of what other people live with every day.
How do initiatives like this bring colleagues together and contribute to Lloyds’ workplace culture?
Activities like this allow people to give something back while bringing together colleagues who might never meet during their normal working lives.
It also reflects the culture Lloyds promotes: helping others and using our time and skills to make a difference. I applied for the Sahara trek last year and wasn’t selected, but I persevered and tried again. My advice to anyone offered an opportunity like this would be to grab it.
Finally, what do you enjoy most about working at Wellington Place?
My favourite thing about working at Wellington Place is the people. Even though we only come into the office two days a week, there’s a real sense of community and always something going on.
I can take part in activities like the weekly Pilates sessions at Wellington Central, meet people from other businesses and make new friends. It makes Wellington Place feel like much more than somewhere you simply come to work.
Santosh is so close to hitting his target – you can find out more and donate via his JustGiving page here. If you would like to tell your story, or wish to nominate someone to take part in the People of Wellington Place series, please email info@wellingtonplace.co.uk.
