Rhondda-based Credit Union Calls for Volunteers

Written by on 3rd June 2021

More volunteers are needed to help Welsh communities access ethical savings and loans following the financial impact of Covid-19 according to Dragonsavers Credit Union as the UK celebrates Volunteers Week.

The member-owned financial cooperative based in Treorchy relies on the voluntary support of board members to help steer their operation and future development.

The call comes at a time when lockdown restrictions have impacted on people’s finances due to unemployment, furlough or reduced hours.

Christina Stoneman, General Manager of Dragonsavers Credit Unions said:
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of the credit union movement, particularly as board members and in leadership roles.
“People from nearby communities with local knowledge and skills who use their experience to support the credit union help make it the sort of organisation that benefits the whole area.
“As restrictions begin to ease across the country we want to encourage more people
who may have suffered financially during lockdown to access our ethical financial
services.”

The 37 th Volunteers’ Week is celebrated by small grassroots organisations as well as larger, household-name charities, who together run hundreds of activities across the UK.
According to the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, in 2018/19, 19.4million people volunteered through a group at least once a year and over 11.9 million did so at least once a month. It is estimated that the voluntary sector contributed £18.2billion to the UK economy.

Former probation service officer Malcolm Gay of Tonyrefail began volunteering with Dragonsavers Credit Union nine years ago and is now a trustee director with responsibility for human resources and staffing issues.

He said: “I retired and wondered what to do with myself at first but knew I wanted to
put something back in the community and use my skills from my career to help
others.

“Credit unions was the perfect choice because I admire the ethos of the movement
and its good to be involved in something that is ethical and does so much for the
community.
“I hope more people will become board members because they bring a diversity of
membership with different backgrounds and skills that enrich the credit union and
help secure its future.”

Volunteers can help steer the future of credit unions by standing as a voluntary board member in the AGM. The range of board members in credit unions differ in walks of life, professions and experience.
Volunteering can help people gain valuable new skills and experiences which helps  develop a CV and boost their job skills.
It also boosts confidence and helps people realise how valuable they are to an organisation through their voluntary work.
To find out more about becoming a volunteer contact Dragonsavers Credit Union on 01443 777043 or email enquiries@dragonsavers.org


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