MENDIP Community Credit Union would like to hear from organisations in Frome who are already working with people with money problems.
One founder member said, “There is magic in money. If you think you can’t afford to save then you’re giving yourself a negative message and it’s all a downward spiral. If you can put just a little bit of money aside you start turning that spiral round. You won’t notice much but you get the message, I am worth it. I can have a little bit for myself.”
Many members of Mendip Community Credit Union have managed to sort out their money problems with the help they have received. Members know that if they have savings and have a crisis, then they can ask for a loan at very low cost and know that the Credit Union will work with them to keep repayments affordable, especially if things get more difficult like benefits being delayed or changed.
Perhaps someone wants to save for Christmas, or has income that changes suddenly – it will really help if you are a member of the local Credit Union.
The local credit union is run entirely by volunteers ( all of them members) for the local community. Money is kept local, but regulated like a bank and members’ savings are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
Volunteers work with the Credit Union because they enjoy working with like minded people who enjoy meeting different members of our community and don’t want to give up on people.
“What we do goes a lot beyond managing money. Our credit union is a tool for community building. Our volunteers bring people back into relying on the community and not being exploited by doorstep lenders and others,” said Barbara Bacon.
Credit Union volunteers are available to meet new members, give advice on saving, help with loans and to discuss volunteering on Saturday mornings at Frome Library, 10am to 12noon, and on Thursday mornings at The Key Centre, Feltham Lane, 9 -11.30am or phone Freephone 0800 622 6036. Come and see them – either to volunteer or to start saving – even 50p or a £1 a week will be enough.
