Latest News & Events:
MP JOINS WEARSIDEFIRST
Local MP Sharon Hodgson says "I am putting my money where my mouth is and signing up to the local Credit Union, Wearside First." Full Press Release
MAYOR SUPPORTS WEARSIDEFIRST
The Mayor of the City of Sunderland has shown his support of Credit Unions and their work, by becoming a member of Wearside First Credit Union. Full Press Release
£1 MILLION LOCAL SUPPORT
A developing Credit Union in Sunderland has assisted hundreds of local people with access to affordable low cost loans to the value of £1 million in only three and half years of trading. Full Press Release
HIGH RESPONSE FOR LOCAL LENDING
A simple leaflet delivered to Gentoo Group Ltd tenants, comparing ‘door step lenders’ to Wearside First Credit Union generated over 500 enquiries in the first week. Full Press Release
SUNDERLAND SUPPORTING AFFORDABLE FINANCE SERVICE
With a new joint venture between Wearside First Credit Union and Sunderland City Council’s network of customer service centres, more local people are enjoying easy access to affordable finance. Full Press Release
ESCAPING FROM THE CLUTCHES OF DEBT
(The Big Feature)
Credit Card, loan sharks and high interest rates –it’s all too easy to find yourself in a mountain of debt. Today, Katy Wheeler explores how you can save in 2007 and break free from the cycle of debt. Full Press Release
WEARSIDEFIRST LAUNCH NEW ARGOS ACARD
Members of Wearsidefirst Credit Union will benefit from an extra 5% when they shop at Argos or Homebase thanks to the new Argos Acard. Full Press Release
APPEAL FOR BUSINESSES TO HELP BRIGHTEN UP CHRISTMAS
Businesses are being urged to help families across Wearside facing a bleak Christmas after the collapse of hamper firm Farepak.
Sunderland Home care Associates (SHCA) has got the ball rolling with a £1,000 donation to Wearside First Credit Union to boost the pot available for low-interest loans to desperate families. Full Press Release
CASH BOOST FOR COMMUNITY FINANCE SCHEME
BANKING giant Barclays has given a £35,000 boost to the body which provides financial support to some of Wearside’s most vulnerable people.
The cash from the Barclays Financial Inclusion Fund has enabled Wearside First Credit Union to invest in a new project City Wide. The scheme will provide long-term financial help to Sunderland residents by offering advice on access to money, affordable credit, budgeting and saving. Full Press Release
WEARSIDE FIRST HELPING FAREPAK CUSTOMERS
People living or working in Sunderland who are out of pocket this Christmas through the collapse of the Farepak Hamper Company are urged to contact Wearside First Credit Union.
Wearsidefirst, a not-for-profit organisation offering savings and low cost loan facilities to anyone living or working in Sunderland, may be able to assist with affordable low cost loans to help cover the cost of Christmas. Full Press Release
MONEY ADVICE SESSIONS
Wearside First Credit Union is expanding it’s service to assist local people with Money Advice thanks to funding through Back on the Map, Urban II, Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) and Barclays Fund.
The free Money Advice Service which runs city wide provide local people the opportunity to attend a short session where information and useful tips are provided on basic budgeting; what to look for when applying for a loan and healthy eating on a budget. The Money Advice Service is a starting point for people who may need further support with their finances but are unsure of where or who to ask for help. The sessions provide people with a list of useful contacts for money advice support; savings and low cost loans facilities and even help available to deal with the stresses that can occur due to money problems. Full Press Release
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HERRINGTON COUNCILLOR JOINS CREDIT UNION
A Community savings and loan scheme has branched out after calls from residents wanting to use its services. Wearside First Credit Union has set up stall in St Chads Church, Herrington, after a survey by bosses found local people were keen to sign up.
To show his support for the Credit Union, which offers affordable finance deals accross the City, Councillor Robert Oliver was one of the first in the queue to open an account. Development Manager Kerry Graham said: "The branch at St Chads Church was set up following a leaflet drop in the area backed by posters, letting local residents know about the services. We also had a stall at Farringdon School's Community Fair recently, where we urged local councillors to get on board and help us promote the credit union".
" We felt that if residents who were unsure about signing up or thought the credit union was only for 'poor' people saw councillors getting involved, they'd be more likely to sign up. We are really grateful to Councillor Oliver for his support".
St Chads Collection Point is open to the public every Wednesday 10.15am - 11.30am.
CHAD'S GOALKEEPER HELPS SAVERS
A Sunderland lad has designed a character for a new scheme to help fellow youngsters learn the importance of saving money. Twelve year old Chad Murray, from Grindon, a pupil at Sandhill View School, drew a goalkeeper saving coins to win a poster competition to launch the First Savers' Club, run by Wearside First Credit Union. "The competition has enabled the children of Sunderland to express their ideas," said Wearside First development manager Kerry Graham. "My view is that if you wish to reach the children you have to listen to them". The not-for-profit organisation is piloting its scheme - to educate children about saving - at English Martyrs' RC Primary School in Red House, and intends to roll it out across city schools if it proves a success.
KERRY JOINS THE TEAM AT WEARSIDE FIRST
Kerry is an invaluable member of staff who joined Wearside First as Development Officer in the latter part of 2004. One of her main responsibilities is to recruit new volunteers to assist with the running of the Credit Union in addition to looking after existing volunteers who provide us with their time, effort and commitment all on an unpaid basis and without whose help we would be unable to function. Kerry will provide the volunteers with an insight into understanding how the Credit Union works in line with the needs of the Community, in addition to providing them with training opportunities with an ultimate aim of helping them back into work if they so wish. Kerry has a wealth of experience in training and development gained in her previous role at Northumberland College. In the short time that she has been with the Credit Union she has set up a fully equipped training room at the Head Office site. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering opportunities with Wearside First, please give Kerry a call on 0191 5147491 – REMEMBER 2005 IS THE YEAR OF THE VOLUNTEER !!!!!
NEW JOINT VENTURE WITH SUNDERLAND HOUSING GROUP
Credit Union members are now able to use Sunderland Housing Group Offices to make payments into their accounts. This new service means that members now have an additional 13 venues at which to make their payments, the location of the offices are as follows:-
Athenaeum Buildings, 27 Fawcett Street, Sunderland SR1 1RE
Havelock Civic Building, Hylton Road, Sunderland SR4 8AH
Hylton Lane, Downhill, Sunderland SR5 4PT
The Cornhill Centre, Gocshen Street, Southwick, Sunderland, SR5 2LR
North Moor Lane, Farringdon, Sunderland, SR3 3BN
The Conishead Centre, Silksworth Terrace, Sunderland, SR3 2AR
The Skyline Centre, 88 Newbottle Street, Houghton Le Spring, DH4 4AJ
The Hetton Centre, Welfare Road, Hetton Le Hole, DH5 9NE
2/3 Arndale House, Victoria Road, Concord, Washington, NE37 2SW
The Galleries, Washington, NE38 7SD
St Pauls Old Church, The Village, Ryhope, Sunderland SR2 0NQ
120 Thorndale Road, Thorney Close, Sunderland SR3 4JQ
8/9 Westbourne Terrace, Shiney Row, Houghton Le Spring DH4 4UJ
All of the above offices are open 8.30am till 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 4.00pm on a Friday.
Lisa Fairweather, Income Manager at Sunderland Housing Group has commented that “The partnership will be an asset to anyone who wants to save small amounts of money each week or needs a loan without being exposed to doorstep lenders and high interest rates”. She added “Financial inclusion is a major issue in every town and city across the UK for low-income households, therefore being given the opportunity to access a savings and loan scheme with low interest rates which is available to everyone no matter what their status is great”.
To the Credit Union, the partnership means an extension of facilities and the ability to reach a greater number of people throughout Wearside.
MEMBERSHIP GROWTH CONTINUES AT A STEADY RATE
The membership level continues to grow at a healthy and steady rate, at May 2005 membership exceeded 1300!!
Young Savers have been encouraged to join the Credit Union following the introduction of the Wearside First “Piggy” savings box being included in the Junior Saver Welcome Pack, and remember, membership is FREE to junior savers, what more incentive is there to encourage your children to join and get them into the habit of saving at an early age?
EMPLOYER PARTNERS JOIN WEARSIDE FIRST
More and more local employers in 2004 – 2005 have realised the benefits of providing savings facilities for their staff to join Wearside First. In addition, this has also contributed to them achieving their corporate social responsibility objectives.
As at May 2005, the “Magnificent Nine” offering their employees the opportunity to save from their pay are:
- City of Sunderland Council
- Sunderland Housing Group
- Houghton Racecourse Community Access Point
- Hodgson Maggiore Solicitors
- Grindon Hall Christian School
- Springboard Trust Sunderland
- Remploy Limited
- Sunderland Homecare Association Ltd
- Northern Housing Consortium
Discussions are also ongoing with many other employers including City Hospitals Trust and Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust.
WHAT encourages companies and organisations to offer this added value benefit to their employees?
BECAUSE it means for their staff:
- An easy and convenient way to save
- Complete security for members savings – Wearside First is fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
- Access to low cost loans
- Exclusive holiday discounts with Co-op Direct
- The opportunity to join a specially negotiated Corporate Membership Scheme for all City of Sunderland leisure and sports facilities in the area
- Making a positive contribution to the local economy and community
If you are an employer or an employee, and would like to find out more about what Wearside First can offer you, please contact Kerry Graham, Development Manager on 0191 5147491 or e-mail her at kgraham@wearsidefirst.com
Remember, ANYONE who LIVES OR WORKS in Sunderland is eligible to join
NEW EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Holiday Discounts!!!
Wearside First have negotiated exclusive holiday discounts for Members with Co-op Holidays Direct, these discounts are available on all holidays EVEN “Late Deals”. There are monthly special offers in addition to a monthly e-mail newsletter and their booking service is open 7 days a week, Monday to Friday 8.00am – 10.00pm and 9.00am – 6.00pm on a Saturday and Sunday.
To make sure YOU get a great deal on your next holiday ring 08702 423 423 and quote: Wearside First Credit Union and your membership number
To join the scheme is easy - Simply go to any of the above venues and complete the Active 8 Application Form, show your Wearside First Membership Card and pay a £3 fee.
This is exceptional value as it gives you:
- Outstanding deals on swimming, badminton, table tennis, squash and sauna. For example, if you went swimming once a week, over the year you would save over £41.00 compared to normal prices.
- Free spectating at all the sports and leisure centres.
- Advance and Credit Card booking facility.
- Regular mailings
- Use of your Active 8 card as deposit for “equipment hire”