First birthday for community bankers
A Nuneaton-based Credit Union run by people with learning disabilities is celebrating its first birthday.
A year ago a group of learning disabled adults from Aim 4 joined forces with the Nuneaton Credit Union to set up a Credit Union Collection Point at Aim 4 in Nuneaton.
Aim 4 is an Employment Service for adults with learning disabilities run by Warwickshire County Council’s Adult Health and Community Services.
Five people who use the service studied a Money Management course at Hereward College, and now organise the self-funding Credit Union.
Emma Dawkins who receives a service from Aim 4 and who helps run the Credit Union, has been involved in the project from the start
She said:
“I have learnt a lot, and I save my own money through the Credit Union as this way feels much safer than a bank.”
Hereward College tutor Angela Gildea, who runs the Money Management Course, has been working with the Aim 4 team helping them fine tune their money management skills said:
“Running the Credit Union has had a massive impact on people’s skill development because those involved have had the opportunity to deal with money in a real life situation.”
She added that the team are currently working on a promotional leaflet to advertise the Credit Union, and also organised a prize draw to encourage people to save regularly.
A second group from Aim 4 are soon to complete the Money Management course, and have began to work as cashiers at the Aim 4 Collection Point.
Annette Skermer, manager of Aim 4 said:
“It is an excellent opportunity to work in partnership with others, and the Credit Union provides an invaluable service”
Nuneaton Credit Union President Frank McGale said:
“This has been a really positive initiative. At the moment it is solely for staff and people who use the service, but eventually we would like to make it a collection point for the whole of the Attleborough area.”
Nuneaton Credit Union have a Collection Point at Nuneaton Library, open every Saturday 10am to 12pm tel: 024 7664 2480.