Savers uniting from Middlesbrough to Wythenshawe!

Community Savers leaders had another productive quarterly network meeting on Thursday and were delighted to welcome Rama, Fatima, and Mabintou from Middlesbrough!

Rama is coordinator for a CIO called Creative Minds Middlesbrough and is working with local women to learn from the Community Savers approach and set up their own savings group.

Leadership development, sharing learning and peer support are fundamental pillars of the Community Savers methodology and here Lina – a leader form Dandelion Savers and Wythenshawe Central Network shares on what Quarterly Network meetings are all about:

After a jam-packed morning full of Community Savers business affiliated savings groups from Brinnington, Miles Platting, Hulme and Wythenshawe shared their experiences of setting up and running savings clubs with our Middlesbrough guests. Bridget from MIles Platting Savers reflects on what she was able to share here:

Savings clubs are the building blocks of the Community SAvers approach and contribute significant impacts to financial and social inclusion and wellbeing. For example, our 2024 members survey revealed that: 

·         85% of members feel more positive about life

·         81% feel less isolated

·         96% feel more community connection

·         96% saw improved mental health

Community Savers is about much more than saving money however. Through the savings clubs, local residents are able to come together to discuss local issues and soon begin developing their own local initiatives to address gaps and challenges.

Over time, the clubs become organising hubs for a wider network of groups and projects forming neighbourhood networks able to take collective action to reduce inequality and promote a better future for their local area.

For now though, Fathima, Rama and Mabintou will be focusing on getting the hang of getting their new savings club off the ground with support from a shared partner of Community Savers and Creative Minds Middlesbrough – Turn2Us https://www.turn2us.org.uk/

Rama visiting from Middlesbrough talking about her experience of attending a Community Saver network meeting.

Fatima from Middlesbrough reflecting on the learning from the day.