Holt Area Partnership and Holt CAB launched the Holt Area Community Bank at the CAB office beside the Community Centre on Kerridge Way on Tuesday 6th April. The Norfolk Community Foundation, Victory Housing and Norfolk Credit Union Ltd supported the starting up of this useful new facility that is available to the people of Holt and the surrounding area.
To find out more about the various accounts, pick up a leaflet or talk to advisors – who are available at the CAB office on a regular basis: Tuesdays or Fridays 10am – noon.
The Holt Area Community Bank is a branch of Norfolk Credit Union Ltd which is a financial cooperative and a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, this means that savings are protected. Savings accounts and Lock In accounts are available to anyone who wishes to save any amount, small or large, and instead of interest a dividend on the amount of savings held is paid annually – the amount of dividend is not guaranteed but for the last few years has been around 3%, which is more than interest on an average saving account. There is a Young Saver account called the Bee Savers Club for those under 16 years old. Loans for small amounts are immediately available (subject to approval) with low rates of interest and no set up fees. There is also a Current Account facility. The Current Account Project is supported by Norfolk County Council. If you are able to volunteer to spread the word please contact either Holt Area Partnership or the CAB on 01263 713849.
Holt Area Partnership was able to access a grant from Victory Housing and Norfolk Community Foundation for the set up costs including an afternoon’s training with Credit Union and the launch. A number of savings accounts have since been opened and interest in Current Account and other facilities has been steady.
The leaflet continues to be distributed via local outlets across the HAP area including the outreach surgeries that the CAB has been running monthly in Melton Constable. As well as the press release in our newsletter – which was a double page spread in the Holt Chronicle (distribution 5000), HAP and CU have arranged for 4000 leaflets to be printed by local printers and to be distributed early in April to every household in Holt and then via local outlets across HAP area. We have also commissioned a run of 100 case study leaflets to use for additional promotion.
Other work that Holt Area Partnership are doing with CAB in Holt involves promoting their outreach service – they are available at Melton Constable Yesu Workshop (opposite the Coop) in the mornings on Monday the 28 June and Monday the 19 July.
