Stafford and Rural Homes

February 21, 2007

A Credit Union covering the whole of the Stafford Borough area has taken a significant step forward. The Stafford Finance Initiative has appointed a Development Officer, John Spriggs, to work with partners to set up a Credit Union for the Borough area. John will be based at the Stafford and District Voluntary Services offices in Stafford and anyone interested in helping to move the Credit Union forward can contact him there.

The credit union's mission is to provide its members with access to reasonably priced financial services, and encourage the development of good financial practice.

Stafford and Rural Homes has made a major grant contribution to the Stafford Finance Initiative to support John’s appointment and make the Credit Union a reality, meeting one of the commitments made to tenants as part of the transfer of housing from Stafford Borough Council in February 2006.

The Credit Union has also received significant support from private individuals, County Councillors and Churches in Stafford.

Albert Hunt, Chairman of the Stafford Finance Initiative said, “A Credit Union for Stafford Borough is a very exciting prospect. The appointment of John Spriggs brings the reality of a Credit Union for Stafford Borough much closer. The Credit Union will help residents of the Borough to avoid the pitfalls of having to borrow relatively small amounts of money at very high interest rates from a number of lending companies that operate in the area.”

Karen Armitage, Chief Executive of Stafford and Rural Homes added “This is a huge step in seeing the Credit Union becoming a reality. It is a major commitment for Stafford and Rural Homes as part of our drive to tackle financial exclusion and offer much-needed support to our most vulnerable customers. We look forward to working with the Stafford Finance Initiative and see it firmly established as an organisation our customers can trust.”