Volunteering with Smart Money Cymru

Smart Money Cymru Community Bank, like all credit unions, has a rich history of volunteer support.  From the delivery of face-to-face member support in our Community Banking Hubs, Smart Pennies Savers for schools or our Board of Directors, volunteering is an important part of our business.

Volunteers provide an essential service!  Ensuring week-in, week-out, Smart Money Cymru members can rely on community-based financial services, where they can make deposits, enquire about their account and meet a friendly face from their local Community Bank.

One of our longest-serving volunteers, Sherry Spencer, kindly agreed to take part in a Q&A over the phone.  Sherry has been a volunteer with Smart Money Cymru in our Gelligaer Community Banking Hub, for over twenty years.

Hi Sherry, how did you get into volunteering with Smart Money Cymru?

I’ve always been active in volunteering.  It was around the time there was quite a lot of regeneration activity in Gelligaer.  Someone mentioned there was a meeting in Penybryn,  I went along to find out more, and there was someone there from the Credit Union.  They were looking for volunteers to open a new Hub and it all started from there.

What do you get out of volunteering?

I’m community minded, the area has a good sense of community spirit, and I love meeting people.  The Community Banking Hub is open every Wednesday, 09:00 – 10:30 and we get a regular group of members who visit each week.  It’s good to be able to provide a service for the community, that people need.

You’ve probably seen some changes over the past twenty years?

Yes, plenty, but people like the personal tough – someone they can speak to face to face.  You could say we like doing things in a traditional way.   People saving regularly, putting something aside for Christmas, or a holiday – whatever really, it just makes things a little bit easier on the pocket.

You mention saving something regularly, each week?

We have members who save for Christmas, that’s always a big item.  We have a member who’s saved for her kitchen appliances, cooker, fridge etc.  We’ve been able to help with all types of things, over the years.

What do you think the advantages of saving, and borrowing, are with a credit union?

We had a new member who had got into difficulties with a home credit company.  The interest rates were high, and they were finding it difficult to get out of using revolving credit – topping-up their loans.  We were able to offer a solution, and they found they were able to manage their personal finances much more effectively once they were able to access fair financial services at a much cheaper cost than they had previously.

Thank you, Sherry we really appreciate your dedication and all your hard work. 

I took the opportunity to schedule a follow up in 2044, to celebrate Sherry’s fortieth anniversary with SMC!

Sherry volunteers at the Smart Money Cymru Community Banking Hub in Gelligaer on Wednesday mornings.  If you would like more information on volunteering, or Smart Money Cymru Community Banking Hubs near you, call 02920 88371 or email info@smartmoneycymru.co.uk