Never go with anything connected with the banks, returns are low and they'll try to sell you their products. Go to an independant advisor, tell them what you want to do and your future plans. Personally I do a stocks and shares ISA using a direct debit with Fidelity investing in 4 different areas. I've been lucky with a few and managed 45% on a couple of occasions. I'm investing for the long term so recessions don't bother me as it keep share prices down (so I get more shares for the same amount) but they will recover and you should see a marked improvement. If your in it for the long term I look at my investments about once every 6 months just to keep an eye on them. Obviously there is risk involved in investing in this side of things but a good advisor should steer you in the right direction, with a mix of investments, low to medium investments should average about 8%