Why do Community Savers Groups exist?
Community Savers have been adapting the approaches of the women-led movement called Shack/Slum Dwellers International since 2017, and have now developed their own Theory of Change and Memorandum of Understanding.
Over time, our members begin to recognise that many of us experience similar problems…
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.
Why Community Savers?
SAVINGS & FINANCIAL INCLUSION:
More savings, less debt, setting and achieving
financial goals, developing a different perspective on money management.
WELLBEING & SOCIAL INCLUSION:
Getting involved/feeling a part of local community, better mental & physical health, and inclusive, vibrant, mutually supportive communities.
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP:
Building confidence, skills, peer learning, experience of working with others, practising new skills and applying new knowledge. This leads to personal development, increased employability and enterprise, and a stronger networked influence over local decisions.
STRONGER COMMUNITY GROUPS:
Better governance –especially financial,
safeguarding, and inclusivity – better planning, impact monitoring and membership accountability, more funding, and more successful and impactful activities.
COMMUNITY-LED PARTNERSHIPS:
Transforming public sector attitudes towards
community expertise and capability, deepening ‘professional’ understanding of how to develop and sustain meaningful co-production partnerships, and ensuring well organised neighbourhood network formation, visioning and action planning.
SOCIAL & CLIMATE JUSTICE:
Communities organise around their own priorities and achieve partnerships and investments in facilities and services. This delivers environmental and social assets and benefits, including improvements to housing, building of new homes, a significant Local Authority policy commitment around social rent, creation of community spaces, and a neighbourhood-wide wildlife corridor.