Press release -
Valleys Credit Union wins Welsh Government backing for ICT training and improvements
A credit union which offers responsible saving and loans to communities in the Islwyn area has received backing from Communities 2.0, the Welsh Government’s digital inclusion programme. The support will help Islwyn Community Credit Union to improve their office technology and continue their growth. The improved technology will lead to improved flexibility, efficiency and customer service.
Islwyn Community Credit Union was established in 1998 to enable members to take control of their finances. The business aims are to provide a safe and secure place for members to save with access to responsible loans at a reasonable rate of interest. The Credit Union also aims to educate members in the management of their finances and the decisions they make with their money.
Membership is open to people who live or work within the Islwyn area or the eastern part of Ystrad Mynach. Members are encouraged to save whatever they can afford. Loans are offered at reasonable rates with the intention of preventing members from having to rely on more unscrupulous lenders.
The support from Communities 2.0 will enable Islwyn Community Credit Union to improve the service they offer their members by increasing access to their financial databases and reducing customer waiting times. The new technology will allow staff and volunteers to update members’ accounts electronically so that up to date account information will always be available. Improved broadband provision will also improve efficiencies for the Credit Union.
Communities 2.0 is a Welsh Government programme which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Marie Walsh is Office Manager of Islwyn Community Credit Union. She commented,
“Islwyn Community Credit Union stays sustainable by keeping its costs low and by utilising the hard work of its volunteers effectively. Communities 2.0 support will enable us to deliver essential services to our members quickly and more efficiently. We have been really impressed at the depth of knowledge, expertise and professionalism of Communities 2.0 officers and we believe that the support we have received through the programme will make a real difference to our delivery and to our members”.
Communities 2.0 project director Cathryn Marcus commented:
“Communities 2.0 is delighted to be able to add its support to this timely investment in Islwyn Community Credit Union. Credit Unions are community co-operatives that provide their members with responsible and dependable savings and loan services and signpost people away from pay day lenders and door step lenders. Communities 2.0 support will enable the Credit Union to operate more efficiently and improve the service it offers its members”.
Topics
- Economy, Finance
Categories
- communities 2.0
Regions
- Wales
For further information, please contact David Madge, Marketing and Press Officer on 01792 484005 david.madge@walescooperative.org or Marie Walsh, ICCU Office Manager on 01495 222832, cusupport@islwyn.co.uk
Communities 2.0
Communities 2.0 is a Welsh Government programme and is part of the Delivering a Digital Wales strategy. Communities 2.0 is delivered by four partner organisations – the Wales Co-operative Centre, Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services, Carmarthenshire County Council and the George Ewart Evans Centre for Storytelling (University of South Wales).
Communities 2.0 is a £21.9 million programme, made up of £10.45m Convergence funding via ERDF, match funding of £6.45m from the Digital Inclusion BEL and £5 million Targeted Match Fund money also. It runs from April 2009 to March 2015 and now covers the whole of Wales.
It prioritises support to the most digitally excluded groups in society by helping them overcome barriers, building their confidence and creating opportunities for them to use new skills.
The programme also helps support social enterprises and community and voluntary organisations to improve their operations and competitiveness through ICT.
