Big chocolatey thanks to the community

There was chocolate galore in the CLEVR Money office as we ran a eggs-iting give away this Easter.

We wanted to show our appreciation to our members for their support over the years, and give a little something back to their communities.

After all, we can only provide financial help through fair and affordable loans thanks to the credit union’s unique co-operative model.

Members were asked to vote for their favourite community centre across Blackpool, Fylde, Wyre and Preston, with the winner to receive a box of goodies for their staff and customers.

Unsurprisingly, given the fabulous work these centres do, we were inundated with responses.

Such was the outpouring of love, we increased the prize fund to give each of five winners a bumper Easter hamper, many of which were then handed out to families in need.

The winners were: At the Grange Community Hub in Blackpool; Farringdon Park Community Centre, Ribbleton; Mereside Childrens Centre, Blackpool; Sion Park Community Hub, Ribbleton; and West View Community Association, Fleetwood. Congratulations, your local communities love you !

Over the last few months the credit union has been getting better acquainted with the various community centres in the 'common bond’ area that we serve.

We’re now providing face-to-face appointments through several of them, for people who don’t want to do their banking online and can’t get to our central Blackpool office in Birley Street. We’re so pleased by the warm welcome that we have received and we are talking to yet more community centres about running sessions from their hubs.

The next community appointments are available at the Mereside Children’s Centre tomorrow, Tuesday May 7 from 1pm to 4pm, and this Thursday May 9 at the YMCA Lofthouse building in London Road, Fleetwood. Both are fortnightly.

The credit union also offers appointments in Preston, at the Farringdon Park Community Centre, the Sion Park Community Hub and the Oaktree Community Centre in Preston, check Facebook for times and dates.

And any other community centres that want to provide people with access to their local credit union, please contact us