Waltham Forest Community Credit Union (WFCCU) was able to hit Walthamstow's High Street and become better able to serve local people through £205,939 capital and revenue funding from NOW.

WFCCU provides all residents with a safe place to deposit their money and benefits, open savings accounts, take out loans and access professional financial services. The service is particularly useful to those people who cannot open accounts with other high street banks or building societies.

WFCCU is used by almost 900 Walthamstow residents and manages approximately £200,000 in savings and £70,000 of low interest loans which are invested in the area. By 2010, Walthamstow Credit Union aims to have 5,000 customers.

The NOW capital grant paid for refurbishing a shop on Walthamstow High Street to become the new base for the Credit Union in the area. The High Street presence makes it significantly easier for Credit Union's existing customers to access its services whilst also placing the Union at the heart of the community and easily approachable for new savers. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, opened the new premises in May 2004.

NOW revenue funding helped pay for a Member Support Officer and the recruitment and financial services training for permanent and volunteer staff. The Credit Union employs 2.5 permanent staff and 40 trained volunteers.

WFCCU also helps local people gain practical experience and financial services training. This is of particular use to residents who are seeking to convert foreign financial services qualifications into the UK's equivalent professional standard.

If you would like to learn more about how WFCCU can benefit you or your family or business contact the manager, Dolores Beckford, for free and confidential advice. Full information can also be found on WFCCU's website.