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White Rose Credit Union

Last year White Rose Credit Union reported on its new Head Quarters building in Hemsworth, which is a former coalfield town in the Wakefield District.  The new office was financed fully by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) and has done much to support both the town and surrounding villages as well as further develop the Credit Union.

The successful bid to CRT was in large, made possible because of six years of support by Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber through their ERDF Objective 2 funding.  That support provided the Credit Union with the financial resources necessary to employ a small Community Development team.  The Development Worker engaged with local community groups, Surestarts, community centres and other community based organisations to spread the word about how the Credit Union was offering local people more choice about financial services.

As part of White Rose Credit Union’s commitment to be in the heart of the community, they have recently moved into shop front premises in the busy town centre of Wakefield.  The Credit Union, intends to give the many cheque cashing companies and pawn brokers, which are moving into the District a run for their money.

The Credit Union has always and continues to receive support from Wakefield Metropolitan District Council, who have made it possible to establish the new office at 7a The Springs.

Central Government has two major national initiatives, which will come on stream next year to help promote financial inclusion.  White Rose Credit Union is already working to play its part to bring these initiatives to the Wakefield District for the benefit of the local community there. 

The initiatives will be delivered by The Department for Trade and Industry and Department of Works and Pensions and other partners will be Citizens Advice, The Association of British Credit Unions and individual Credit Unions.

The medium term aim for White Rose Credit Union is to become financially independent as quickly as possible but in the meantime, it is important that the Credit Union and the movement as a whole continues to receive support to enable it to provide much needed ethical and fare financial services to the community and grow towards sustainability slowly but surely.