About Community Savers

Savings-based organising ensures that low-income women, (who are often the engines of community action, yet have limited influence over local decision-making) are able to act collectively to advance their own interests and those of their households and wider community.
Community Savers have been learning from the approaches of a women-led movement called Shack/Slum Dwellers International since 2016.

Many women feel embarrassed to save small amounts of money (such as 50p or £1 per week) and wouldn’t go to a bank for this. Saving together, with other women in familiar and trusted local community hubs, makes savings possible for the lowest-income households.

Savings Groups and Leadership are open to people of any gender identity. In practice, we find the approach appeals to women because they are more often managing household finances and participating in community activity. Being majority women-led, means we can amplify the voices of women that have often been silenced.

Community Savers is not just about saving money. It is a space where women meet, share problems, develop friendships and become part of something positive and fulfilling. Savers build a sense of belonging and self-worth and a shared space for practical and emotional support. Learning new skills also boosts confidence and raises self-esteem.

Community Savers affiliates bring local groups and residents together into a dialogue about what is available and what is missing in their community. They also engage in learning exchanges with groups and networks in other neighbourhoods, building an awareness of shared challenges. They identify key priorities for their areas and develop co-production partnerships with key agencies and professionals who can work with them to achieve change. Joining together across neighbourhood boundaries, Savers also achieve a city-wide collective voice.

Committee members of affiliated savings groups and neighbourhood networks make up the Community Savers Leadership. The Leadership come together to share learning, experiences and ideas, and to make collective decisions at quarterly forums.

Six elected Leaders from across the network also work closely with the CLASS staff team to advise, make decisions and help plan and facilitate leadership meetings and events. Two leaders are also elected to serve on the CLASS Board of Trustees for two year terms with one new leader joining the board each year.