Here at South Manchester Credit Union, we exist to support the members of our local community with fair financial services. We know that saving today leads to a secure future, but you don’t have to take our word for it – hear it from our members.
Jennifer is a long-standing member. In the face of life’s challenges, she has saved with us. Building a strong savings habit over time, Jennifer has put herself in a stronger financial position than when she joined us.
How Jennifer found us
14 years ago, Jennifer had just moved into a property with her two young children and their dad. He was physically abusive and would regularly beat Jennifer. The trauma this caused stayed with her. When she was able to leave, she found herself in need of financial support as the impact of the abuse on her mental health left her unable to work.
We are proud to have been there at the time for Jennifer, to offer financial support.
When she found us, she was struggling to afford Christmas. She had heard of credit unions before from chatting with other parents on the school playground. Jennifer was attracted by the fact that she could access loans with fair interest rates through the credit union.
Kickstarting her savings!
As Jennifer made her repayments, she also kickstarted her savings habit, as we ask all our members to save alongside their repayments at an affordable amount. This meant that after she had finished paying her first loan, she already had a solid savings platform to launch from. From then on Jennifer has kept building on those savings knowing they are there for her during life’s ups and downs.
The value of keeping her savings locked with us
She shared with us that she not only likes the benefit of keeping her savings secure from spending temptation, but she also values the importance of keeping her savings locked away so we can continue supporting other local people.
“I like the way you have locked savings”
“You can see it from my point of view but from your point of view as well, from what you’re doing for everyone, there needs to be a certain amount locked in so that everybody can get loans”
“We’re working with each other”
Jennifer hit the cooperative nail on the head, as a member-owned organisation, we are here to work together to lift each other. She told us why she likes saving with us instead of an alternative
“You’re very open with sharing with people, it’s your friendliness and your kind approach and the way that you do things are quite easy”
Jennifer's words of inspiration
We were inspired by the kind words from Jennifer, we wanted her to inspire others too – that is why we asked her for the advice she would give other people, who may be saving for the first time.
“Set up a standing order and forget about it”
Sometimes, it’s really that simple, we have seen members’ balances grow quietly in the background – before they know it, they have reached an impressive amount of savings or a dream goal of theirs.
What the future holds for Jennifer
Looking to the future we asked Jennifer what her dream savings goal is, she stated saving for her children was the most important goal for her. For Jennifer, it was a case of finding the right account for this goal. After learning that our Young Savers account keeps money secure and locked away until a child turns 16, she plans to open two!
Join Jennifer and others who are saving to secure their financial futures. Kickstarting a savings habit begins with you taking the first step, open a savings account here at South Manchester Credit Union today.
