Administrator Job vacancy available with RMT Credit Union needing filling urgently.

​

More details and an application form are available on the link. 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11O5SON1F4E7aGmIhNeXaJOqPWvul2t-8

​

 Our next AGM will take place online on Friday 19th of May time to be confirmed.  Please save the date! Further information will be issued shortly.

We are regularly being asked if we know of any Debt Recovery Agencies that are having any success with recovering debts for credit unions. Especially those that work on a commission
only basis.

We are aware that a number of recovery agencies no longer offer their services to credit unions and that a number of them are struggling to make any recoveries at the moment, so our previous list is way out of date.

If you are using a Debt Recovery Agency that you feel is successful for your credit union and are happy to share their details with us, then please do, so we can compile a list to share with other members.

For any of you who will be attending the WOCCU Conference in Glasgow next month, our colleagues from DEEU have asked that we let you know that the European DE Programme (DEEU) will be hosting a DE Networking reception in Glasgow just before the official opening of the World Council International Credit Union Conference.
 
The event will take place on Sunday 17th  July from 1.00pm to 2.30pm and all Development Educators are welcome. Indeed, if you are travelling with, or know someone that might be interested in attending a DE programme in the future, bring them along too. Everyone is welcome.
 
You will have an opportunity to meet old friends, and make some new ones, as well as hear from all the International DE programme Co-ordinators on events taking place this year.
 
The reception will take place in the Lomond Auditorium, at the SECC at Congress Road, Glasgow G3 8YW.
 
Please pass details on to any friends or colleagues you think would be interested in attending, and if you could kindly let us know, so that they can ensure they have enough Scottish refreshments for everyone, that would be appreciated.
 
The DEEU team are looking forward to seeing you in Glasgow for a great conference. For anyone who hasn’t booked for WOCCU and is still interested in attending, then you can register
and find out more here

Our Conference programme is almost finalised and is looking great! We will be having a hybrid of sessions, with a couple of facilitators running their sessions virtually alongside the facilitators who will be there in person.

The programme sessions include Back to the Future, Shattering Perceptions and Consumer Awareness and Cyber Crime, also, on Sunday we are having a bit of an interactive session with Speed Dating!

We have some great exhibitors booked to attend too – auditors, prepaid cards, accounts systems, funeral plans and insurance providers with another couple still to be confirmed.

The AGM will take place on Friday 1 st April 2022, starting at 6.00pm and will be for members only. All members are invited to take part in the AGM irrespective of whether they are attending the Conference or not. Please contact the office for more details.

Please remember to bring a Raffle prize to donate as they will be most welcomed – our raffle is in aid of Help4Heroes, and every penny raised goes towards helping a veteran or their family.

If you have not yet booked then please do so as soon as possible, as there are only 10 places left. If you can’t attend all weekend, then we also encourage Day delegates – booking forms available from the office.

**Just a tip if you are travelling by train to Leyland – it is cheaper and quicker to get into Preston then take a taxi to the hotel, it is only a 5 mile (approx 15 mins journey). The local trains are only 1 per hour and cost £8.80 return and you still need to make your way from the train station to the hotel which is a 15 minutes’ walk.

Happy New Year to you all – after 2020’s events we hoped that 2021 would be a much better year, however for many of you it has been as much or even more of a challenge as 2020 was.

The majority of you had made significant changes to the way you had to operate during 2020 and this continued with further tech developments and amended processes being introduced throughout 2021. Many have moved to Mobile Apps and online applications and utilising direct bank payments and prepaid cards to ensure your members could apply for
loans and access their accounts 24/7.

For some of our members the changes and adaptations needed were too much for the volunteers and 3 of our member credit unions took the decision to transfer to a larger credit union rather than seek a closure – we supported each of these members throughout the process and are pleased to say that the transfers are all now completed, and the services of the credit union is still available for their members.

A number of you continued with your staff and volunteer development and training and as such UKCU staff delivered several online training courses to member credit unions throughout the year, the most popular was our Money Laundering Prevention training, but we also delivered our Directors Roles & Responsibilities training, our Credit Committee
training and our Supervisory Committee training.

Besides the training our day-to-day support of our members continued with almost 2000 emails, and 600 phone calls and over 100 letters processed and answered throughout the year.

Responses were made to several consultations and continued to meet regularly with the other trade bodies and NCUF as part of the National Liaison Group, where we continued to have discussions and worked on a variety of projects and held meetings with HM Treasury, the Scottish Government, Fair4All Finance and the Carnegie Trust.

The usual regulatory meetings with the PRA and the FCA, the Glasgow Strategy Group, the Scottish Cross-Party Group, the Trade Associations Cyber Insight Group (TACIG) and the Payment Services Regulator were all attended and we also took part in several webinar events including some training events held by Co-operativesUK, Fair4All Finance, Naylor
Wintersgill (our auditors), the Scottish Business Resilience Centre and the CFCFE Conferences (now renamed the Swoboda Research Centre in memory of our friend and colleague Ralph Swoboda who passed away in September).

Dawn continues on the boards of the CU Foundation, the Save and Sound Oral History Project, and the DEEU Advisory Committee, all of which have met regularly throughout the year.

​

Our annual Conference had to be postponed again due to the pandemic, but we held our 17th AGM online back in March. The AGM was well attended with 70% of members joining in. UKCU representatives have not managed to attend any in person events this year but are
looking forward to when things get back to ‘normal’ and they can visit you and attend your anniversary events, new premises openings and other joyous occasions!

​

UKCU remain committed to continuing our support of you all, if you do have any upcoming online or in person events this year that you wish to invite us to, we would be happy to take part. Please just contact the office.

The World Council of Credit Unions are holding their next annual conference in Glasgow from 17th to 20th July 2022.  To keep updated on the event, you can sign up for the email notifications here.

You can also pay to access the session recording and the materials from the 2021 conference here.

The annual conference is shaping up nicely now with the majority of speakers and facilitators now confirmed. Those who have previously booked and paid will receive a simple reminder in the next few weeks for you to tell us if any delegate or their information has changed.

Those who haven’t booked yet, the time to do so is now as we have kept the cost the same as it was in 2020! 

We will be using a new venue for 2022 and are really excited to see everyone in person.

The Conference will be from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd April 2022 in Leyland, Preston, Lancashire.

To book please contact the office for a form.

If you know of any companies that may want to exhibit then please just let us know and we can contact them, the only stipulation is that they must offer services to credit unions.

This years AGM will once again be a virtual meeting held on Zoom. Please add Friday 14th May 2021 at 6.00pm to your diaries. Nearer to the time we will issue you with a copy of the Annual Report and a copy of the Audited Accounts in readiness for the meeting.

The Board members due to retire on rota are Joe Muirhead and Sandra Smith, both are eligible for re-nomination. We also have one vacancy, so if you feel you would benefit our Board and would like to get involved in running and managing UKCU, please contact Dawn (Company Secretary) for an informal chat.  

At the end of the meeting, we will be hosting a guest speaker – Abbie Shelton from the Save and Sound Oral History Project will be joining us to give an update on the project and to let us know what the next steps are for expanding the project after the pilot has finished. You can read more about the project below. Our CEO Dawn is involved in the project as a volunteer Trustee and is also being interviewed to tell the history and stories of both First Choice Credit Union and UKCU. 

The Board are already working on the 2022 Conference and AGM and aiming to make it bigger and better so we can all finally get together again and renew old friendships!

The important task of recording and preserving the memories of credit unions pioneers has continued under lockdown, thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers. 

The Credit Union Foundation’s Save and Sound Project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund with money raised by lottery players, has moved online.  A team of eight volunteers has been trained by the Oral History Society and is using a podcasting platform to link up with interviewees across the north of England.  The interviews will become part of the national oral history collection cared for by the British Library where they will be available to generations of researchers.

The project has interviews lined up for the coming months but is still keen for people with memories of credit unions before 2000 to get in touch and share their stories.  The online platform means that people can see each other but only the sound is recorded.  So that audio quality can be assured, people sharing their memories are provided with a microphone and headphones, as well as full instructions.  
 
It is through the support of partners, the dedication of volunteers and the flexibility of interviewees that the project has been able to continue.  The interview team is drawn from people with many years of involvement in the sector and none; what they have in common is a commitment to preserving credit union heritage. 
 
Nancy Gray is new to credit unions but feels “very privileged and excited to be part of this project recording the history of the movement and the contribution it has made to bettering the financial health of so many of its members.” Anca Voinea has volunteered because she wants to “help tell the stories of some of north of England’s credit union pioneers”. 

Chris Canham is excited to be involved because: “Gathering and recording the story of credit unions is important and I hope it will encourage many people to take part."  For Alan Hignett, the project is “perfectly timed to keep the oral knowledge of our credit union people alive for future generations.”

Marie Gray has been involved in the project from both sides.  She is a volunteer interviewer with the project and contributed her own memories when team colleague Katie Kingsman, a student from Lancaster University, interviewed her in her own right.  Marie said of her interview: “I appreciated the opportunity to talk about my experiences uninterrupted.  It was a really good exercise.” 
 
Project Manager Abbie Shelton said: “We have already recorded some fascinating stories; I am really thankful for all the advice we have received, and I am proud of our volunteers who have risen admirably to the challenge of learning new technologies and techniques.
 
“We are really grateful to everyone who has already come forward, but we are still looking for more people to share their story.  No matter what role you played in a credit union, your memories will help us tell the story of early credit unions and raise awareness of credit union heritage.”

If you are interested in contributing your memories to the project, or have photos or other items that you could share for inclusion on a new credit union heritage website, contact the Project Manager Abbie Shelton via email at abbie.shelton@creditunionfoundation.org.uk or you can visit the website for more information https://www.creditunionfoundation.org.uk/projects/save-and-sound 

We would like to wish all of our members a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. We hope you all have a wonderful but safe time with your families and we look forward to hearing from everyone in the new year!

​

Please note that we will be closing for business at 4pm on Tuesday 22nd December and reopening at 8.30am on Monday 4th January.

​

Best Wishes from all the Board of UKCU and Dawn, Kerry and Storm x

14th March 1761 – Fenwick Weavers Society (Scotland) signed a charter agreeing to “help one another secure a better standard of living and more secure future through mutual co-operation”.

9th November 1769 – Fenwick Weavers Society in another document “stipulated Society’s funds to be used to purchase victuals (food) in bulk to be sold to Society members and non-members with Society members enjoying the privilege of up to 4 weeks trust” (credit).

21st December 1844 at 20:00 GMT - “The Rochdale Pioneers” opened the doors of the first Co-operative Store at 31 Toad Lane, Rochdale, Lancashire - and it’s still there.
 
SO, IN COMMEMORATION AND TO BIND ALL CO OPERATORS TOGETHER, WHEREVER THEY MAY BE
 

AT 20:00 HOURS – YOUR TIME – ON 21ST DECEMBER

LIGHT A CANDLE, TURN ON A LAMP AND CREATE A BAND OF CO-OPERATIVE LIGHT AROUND THE WORLD!
 

Kindly sent to us to share from Barry Epstein at ILCUDE

In episode 15 of Talking Credit Unions Podcast with Chris Smith, the subject of diversity in the credit union board room is discussed. Chris discusses how too many people, because of their gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, background, or circumstance, find themselves unfairly held back.

Chris Smith has an excellent line up of expert speakers to inform and inspire you on this podcast. 
 

Listen to Chris Smith's Podcast here.

The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) is launching its annual
Christmas campaign to raise awareness of loan sharks and prevent
people from falling victim to illegal money lending online.

The theme for this year’s campaign is avoiding loan sharks online after
one in five victims met their lender on social media in the first half of
2020.

The campaign will run from 30th November to 6th December and
partners are encouraged to participate by sharing social media posts
and using the hashtag #SharkFreeSurfing.

Talking Credit Unions with Chris Smith, Episode 13 - Interest rate caps with Dr Olive McCarthy!

​

Olive McCarthy is an active member of St. Michael's Credit Union, Cork, Ireland. She receives research funding from a wide array of external sources, including government bodies, NGOs and sectoral organisations. She is a member of the Credit Union Advisory Committee, appointed by the Irish Minister for Finance.

​

Watch it here.

Workers across the United Kingdom will benefit from increased support with a five-month extension of the furlough scheme into Spring 2021, the Chancellor announced today, 5 November.

​

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will now run until the end of March with employees receiving 80% of their current salary for hours not worked.

​

Similarly, support for millions more workers through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will be increased, with the third grant covering November to January calculated at 80% of average trading profits, up to a maximum of £7,500.

This episode features host Chris Smith talking about a brief round-up on CFCFE, ABCUL and World Council of Credit Unions conferences. 

​

Naturally, given the global pandemic this year, the conferences did not follow their usual format. Click here to find how more.

​

Don't forget! Our annual conference and AGM will take place 16th-18th May 2021 at a new venue, The Grand Hotel, Blackpool. Contact us for booking information.

​

​

Abbie Shelton, the Project leader for the Save & Sound (A Credit Union Oral History) project is holding 2 webinars for anyone interested in finding out more about the project. 

Abbie said "People will be able to find out about telling their story through an oral history interview, or volunteering as an oral history interviewer or a website editor. The project has been funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to focus initially on the north of England, but anyone with an interest is very welcome to join".

You can register for the sessions at on the links below:

Wednesday 16th September - 6.00pm - https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/32869209847178763

​

Thursday 17th September - 12.00 noon - https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5790311215603248139

Please feel free to direct any questions to Abbie – abbie.shelton@creditunionfoundation.org.uk or 07498 928188

Please consider supporting this project as the history of our individual credit union's and of our movement is one worth knowing and keeping factual for future generations.

New research by Community Finance Solutions (CFS) at the University of Salford and Carnegie UK Trust has highlighted the impact that COVID-19 is having on affordable credit providers across England, Scotland and Wales. Fear and Loaning - The Impact of Covid-19 on affordable

credit providers serving financially vulnerable customers has been published today.

More than 60 Credit Unions and Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) in England, Scotland and Wales took part in the study, which asked about the impact of Covid-19 on demand; lending volume; income; liquidity; viability, and confidence. They reported a decline in the number of people seeking loans and a reduction in the size of loans being sought; a rise in the number of customers seeking payment holidays on their loans; and an increase in saving deposits.

Providers have furloughed staff and closed branches to help them deal with the impact of the pandemic. Some have adapted their business models, increasing the use of digital tools and introducing new products.

Those providers with the smallest average loan amounts (under £1,000) appear to have been most adversely affected by Covid-19, with a higher likelihood of furloughing staff, closing branches and of using government support schemes. They are also less confident and more likely to forecast breaches of regulatory ratios or covenants and inability to meet short-term costs. These providers are the most likely to serve the most vulnerable and financially excluded.

The report is available here.

A new website dedicated to the History of Credit Unions in the Four Nations of the United Kingdom has been launched. It was conceived
in a major presentation at the Pump House Museum in Manchester and the publication of “THE HIGHLIGHTS: FIFTY YEARS”, coinciding with the 50th Anniversary of the British Credit Union Movement.

It is extremely important for the future of the Credit Union Movement that its history is preserved, from how it began to the pioneers involved. Your organisation’s history is an integral part of that. Please spread
awareness by:

• Searching for your credit union or organisation on cuhistoryuk.com

• Adding a link to your organisation’s history page on your own website and update yearly

• ​

Your members will then be able to view the page and find out more from their phone, tablet, laptop or computer.

Stop Loan Sharks have released their latest news bulletin which includes updates on; how they are supporting people through Covid-19, their new online chat facility, bidding opportunities for seized cash, online training and much more.

​

Click here to read the newsletter in full.

​

The Credit Union Foundation have launched an active recruitment campaign to find two new trustees for their board.

The ABCUL Board will consider applications received at the end of June 2020 and will confirm the two new trustees so that they can join the next CUF Trustee Board meeting on 15th July 2020 at 12noon. Of the two independent trustee vacancies in place 1 is earmarked for a representative of the wider credit union sector in the UK.

​

Deadline for expressions of interest/applications is Tuesday 16th June 2020 at 5pm. Return email address for expressions of interest/applications: robert.kelly@creditunionfoundation.org.uk relevant documents can be found here. 

​

-   Recruitment pack May 2020

-   Copy of latest signed accounts from year ending 30 09 2019

The expectation is that anyone interested would have the backing of their credit union or trade body as part of the application process/vetting. 

A full online induction process will take place in the first couple of weeks of July 2020 to get new trustees up and running as quickly as possible.  

​

CFCFE have issued a briefing paper that summarises some examples of the tremendous efforts by credit union staff and boards to maintain - and even expand - services to members through the COVID-19 pandemic.

A fundamental principle of the credit union sector is ‘people helping people’. The health crisis, with its associated social lockdown and economic shocks, has presented operational and commercial challenges to credit unions that go way beyond previous experience. Credit unions have been balancing the needs and safety of staff and volunteers, members and communities through a wide variety of responses, all illustrating the determination to go the extra mile and exemplifying 'the credit union difference'. The CFCFE have collated examples of these activities, mainly from CFCFE member credit unions, in order that they can share these ideas around the membership and the wider movement. The resulting paper can be downloaded here.

In 2019, CAP helped 22,778 adults and children (inclusive of those interacting with more than one CAP service) to change their story. They celebrated with over two thousand households who became debt free and helped many more along the journey. 

​

Download the report to read more about peoples' stories and the impact CAP’s Debt Help service, Life Skills, Job Clubs and Fresh Start groups are having across the UK.

As a result of the significant rise in COVID-19 related scams, over the next few months, the Scottish Government Cyber Resilience Unit will share important information. They aim to share these updates weekly.

Advice and information is changing daily as we navigate our way through the COVID-19, so please ensure you only take information from trusted sources.

​

Click here to read their latest bulletin 

Due to the Government's announcement yesterday that the period of lockdown is to be extended by 3 more weeks, we have made the decision to furlough our Administrator Kerry for the next 3 weeks.

​

Your phone calls and email enquiries are still being answered by our CEO, Dawn, who is working from home and is still available to contact between 8.30am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday.

​

We will review this again over the next 3 weeks and continue to follow the Government's advice.

Please click here for information to help you with managing your way through the Coronavirus outbreak.

We'd like to thank Abcul who have kindly given all the trade bodies permission to use all or part of the information they drafted (saves reinventing the wheel - especially during this stressful time!).

If you need help with anything please just ask, we are here to support you all through this. The PRA and FCA will also be issuing some guidance to you all very soon.

Hope everyone stays safe.

The Credit Union Development Education (DE) training course has been specifically designed to provide individuals with an insight into the cooperative principles, the credit union movement philosophy and international development issues which challenge
credit unions today. This is a unique opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and play a vital role in the development and sustainability of credit unions across the globe - the Credit Union movement.

The DE training course is a 6-day residential held in the Foresight Centre at Liverpool University and facilitated by Marlene Shiels (U.K.) and Lois Kitsch (U.S.A). You will meet and connect with peers from all parts of the world within the credit union sector, including Frontline staff, Volunteers, Chief Executive Officers and Directors.

This unique experience is filled with an invigorating mixture of group work, individual work, influential speakers and presentations ready to prepare you for when you finish. Upon completion, you will join an alumni community where you can keep in contact with other credit union peers.

​

Wednesday 9th September - Tuesday 15th September 2020, Foresight Centre, Liverpool University, UK

​

For more information download the information pack here.

On the 21st January history was made when YourB Credit Union received authorisation from the FCA, making them the UK’s first Sharia Law compliant credit union. We are proud to have supported them and congratulate them on this momentous occasion. 

If you would like your credit union to offer a Sharia Law compliant loan product please contact us either on 01706 214322 or at info@ukcu.coop for support and guidance.

With 10 weeks to go until our Annual Conference & AGM there's still time to book your place. Contact our office on 01706 214 322 or email us at info@ukcu.coop for a booking form and more information.

​

Our staff and directors are working hard on finalising the programme and more information on this will be available in the coming weeks.

Our office will close at 4pm on Monday 23rd December 2019 and will reopen at 8:30am on Friday 3rd January 2020.

​

We would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

South Bank Credit Union celebrated their 30th Birthday on the 17th October. To help mark the occasion they hosted a Family Fun Day complete with a bouncy castle, hook a duck and a raffle.

​

A fantastic landmark to reach, congratulations South Bank!

Development grants of between £125,000 to £150,000 will be awarded to up to six community lender/fintech partnerships in November 2019. From these, three winning partnerships will each receive cash prizes of at least £200,000 in Spring 2020.

The application window is now open and will remain open until 8am BST on 30 September 2019.

Click here to find out more!

The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has today published its Annual Report and Accounts for 2018/19, which reports on its activity over the past financial year. 

They significant progress in several areas:

• their work led to the introduction of a new industry code that will see banks take responsibility for preventing authorised push payment scams and giving consumers better protection than ever before

• they began a programme of research into access to cash, and directed LINK to do it all can to fulfil its commitment to maintaining the broad geographic spread of free-to-use ATMs across the UK

• they launched our third market review to look in detail at the supply of card-acquiring services – a vital part of card payment systems

• their access programme continues to bear fruit, with more payment service providers than ever joining payment systems – stimulating competition, innovation and choice for consumers and organisations

The Scottish Government have issued new guidance to make it easier to plan the cost of funerals, burials and cremations has been published.

The aim of the guidance is to make clear and consistent information on costs available so that more informed decisions can be made by those planning funerals.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said:

"Worries about affordability can make bereavement even more difficult, particularly where it has not been possible to put aside money for the funeral in advance.

"This guidance, which has been created with industry input, will improve transparency and will I hope be of help to those individuals and families who have lost a loved one."

​

Click here to read more 

Credit unions in England, Scotland and Wales can apply to be a part of the 2 year pilot - the closing date is the 17th May so a quick response is needed.

​

Last year the government committed to launching a pilot of a new prize-linked savings scheme for credit unions, to help people increase their financial resilience while boosting awareness and membership of credit unions.

​

Under the scheme individuals who save will be entered into a draw to win cash prizes. They are looking to partner with 10-15 credit unions for a two year pilot. They invite credit unions who are interested in participating to complete this application form and submit it to: creditunionpilot@hmtreasury.gov.uk

​

Applications close on Friday 17th May 2019.

With only 2 months to go before the closing date of 30 June, don't miss out on this opportunity to highlight the achievements and successes of your credit union to your peers and the cooperative  community. 

Click here to see all 19 categories, that include Leadership (recognising the contribution of those special people who serve your credit union) Enterprise (your business successes) and Community Outreach (the impact for good of your credit union in your community).

See the Ten Top Tips to make your entries sparkle!
 
If you're unsure which category to pick or have any other questions on your entry, up to June 23rd the Awards Office can be contacted for guidance in strictest confidence on +44(0)20 8241 2736 or email info@iculdef.org 

Don't forget - the closing date for entries is June 30th

Good luck with your entries!

DEEU is a fantastic programme and we'd recommend to all to take the step and become a DE if you are able to - you meet so many enthusiastic and motivated credit union people from all over the world and it really inspires and re-energises you and reiterates why we are involved in this movement.  It also opens up lots of opportunities to become a International DE and attend further programmes across the world. Click here for the information pack.

They are also looking for applicants to become Mentors on the programme (must be previous DE Graduate) Click here for a mentor application form

Stop Loan Sharks have issued their Winter Issue of their newsletter. The newsletter showcases a number of achievements by Stop Loan Sharks as well as news items related to the war on loan sharks.

​

You can view their newsletter here.

​

For more information about Stop Loan Sharks and the work that they do please visit their website.

The PSR have published their Annual Report 2019/20, which covers their activity over the past year. Some of the significant milestones they reached include:

• Protecting people from Authorised Push Payment scams and the implementation of Confirmation of Payee

• Access to cash through ATMs and longer term sustainable access to payment methods

• Market review into card-acquiring services to make sure the supply of these services is working well for merchants, and ultimately consumers

• Overseeing the delivery of the New Payments Architecture to produce good outcomes for payment systems users

• Continuing to make sure access to payment systems is fair and transparent, enabling participants to provide new and innovative products and services

• On-going to work with HM Treasury, the Bank of England and Financial Conduct Authority to prepare for EU Withdrawal

The PSR have produced a factsheet that summarises their work over the last 12 months, which you may find useful.

The Credit Union Development Education (DE) training course has been specifically designed to provide individuals with an insight into the cooperative principles, the credit union movement philosophy and international development issues which challenge credit unions today.

This is a unique opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and play a vital role in the development and sustainability of credit unions across the globe - the Credit Union movement.

The DE training course is a 6 day residential held in the Foresight Centre at Liverpool University and facilitated by Marlene Shiels (U.K.) and Lois Kitsch (U.S.A). You will meet and connect with peers from all parts of the world within the credit union sector, including Frontline staff, Volunteers, Chief Executive Officers and Directors.

This unique experience is filled with an invigorating mixture of group work, individual work, influential speakers and presentations ready to prepare you for when you finish. Upon completion, you will join an alumni community where you can keep in contact with other credit union peers.

You can download the information pack here.

Did you know a number of UKCU directors and staff have completed DEEU? Most recently our CEO, Dawn, graduated DEEU class of 2019 (Best class ever!) and is currently raising money to fund places for future scholars both in the UK and overseas? You can donate to her Just Giving page here.