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As you may be aware, Norfolk Credit Union's President, Alan Squirrell, was awarded a MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours last year.

Alan received his award from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 14th December 2011.

Congratulations to Alan once again!

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NORFOLK CREDIT UNION WINS TOP NATIONAL AWARD

The social enterprise Norfolk Credit Union has scooped two major awards in the 2010 National Credit Union Excellence Awards.

At the Credit Union equivalent of the Oscars, Norfolk Credit Union scooped two awards including the overall award for top UK Credit Union.

The award ceremony was held at Congress House London on Thursday 17^th February.

Norfolk Credit Union had been selected by the judges as finalists for three of the six awards. This was a fantastic result for a rural based Credit Union with strong competition from the very large metropolitan based Credit Unions in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, London and the over 400 other Credit Unions in the UK.

The judges were Lord Janner, Baroness Thornton, Juliet Davenport( Good Energy ), Sir Stuart Etherington ( NCVQ), Stephen Robertson ( Big Issue Foundation ), Nigel Fawcett ( HM Treasury ), Steve Johnson ( Advice UK ) and Professor Paul Palmer ( CASS Business School ).

The Awards were sponsored by Unity Trust Bank / Ansvar and the winners from the finalists in each category and the overall winner of the Filene Award for Social Entrepreneurship were announced at the ceremony in the presence of The Right Honourable Lord Howard of Lympne QC.

The Filene award is named in honour of Edward A Filene who is recognised worldwide as one the founders and benefactors of the credit union movement.

Norfolk Credit Union was announced as the winner of the category ‘Excellence in Active Partnerships’ and were presented with their award by Steve Johnson of Advice UK.

The climax of the award ceremony was a speech by Lord Howard, in which he quoted Prime Minister David Cameron as saying Credit Unions play an important part in society and should be promoted and supported, culminating in his opening of the gold envelope and announcing the overall winner of the Filene Award for Social Entrepreneurship.

To the amazement and sheer delight of the staff and thunderous applause, Lord Howard announced Norfolk Credit Union as the winner.

Norfolk Credit Union President, Alan Squirrell, in accepting the award on behalf of the Credit Union said;

“I am very proud to accept the award on behalf of the over 120 volunteers, 250 staff of partner organisations, our 5 staff and all those in Norfolk who support the Credit Union. Their dedication, commitment and enthusiasm in providing local, trustworthy and affordable financial services to the Norfolk community is justly recognised and rewarded by this prestigious award.

I must also thank South Norfolk Council who have provided essential support in hosting our head office facility, Norfolk County Council for funding the launch of the Credit Union Current Account, Tudor Trust for funding our Head Office Manager and all our partner organisations without whose support the Credit Union could not operate so successfully”

Norfolk Credit Union currently has partnerships or contracts with Broadland Housing Association, Cotman Housing Association, Freebridge Housing Trust, Hastoe Housing Association, Orbit (East) Housing Association, Peddars Way Housing Association, Saffron Housing Trust, Solo Housing, Victory Housing Trust, South Norfolk Distict Council, Broadland District Council, Broadland Community Partnerships, Breckland District Council, Fakenham Local Area Partnership, Griffon Local Area Partnership, Happing Local Area Partnership, Holt Local Area Partnership, Poppyland Local Area Partnership, Upcher Local Area Partnership and Wells Local Area Partnership with others currently under discussion.

Alan Squirrell said “The judges clearly recognised the depth and strength of the partnerships we had forged and our clear strategy for this as an essential way to be able to deliver low cost services to a large predominantly rural area. Partnership is a two way thing and not always easy to maintain so we are grateful to all our partners who play a vital part in helping with our community work.

The winning of the Filene Award also recognised the entrepreneurial approach which Norfolk Credit Union had taken in solving the difficult problems associated with delivering cost effective services in a large predominantly rural area.

In my view this really is the Big Society ideal in action.

I hope that the essential funding needed to sustain and grow what has been created, can be found “

For further information on this press release or Norfolk Credit Union contact Alan Squirrell or Hellen Hammond on 01508 533842, info@norfolkcu.co.uk or refer to the web site www.norfolkcu.co.uk

The attached photographs show Lord Howard delivering his speech, his presentation of the Filene Award to the Norfolk Credit Union President - Alan Squirrell, Head Office Manager - Hellen Hammond and staff, Lauren Skinner, Andrea Sluman, Matthew Kent and James Bacon and the presentation of the Excellence in Active Partnerships Award.

Official photographs of the award ceremony will be available from Adrian Oldman Unity Trust Bank, 0121 6164149 from Monday 20^th February.

Current | News

Forthcoming Events across Norfolk

Our local offices in West Norfolk - West Norfolk Community Bank have teamed up with various organisations for the Olynnpics event on Sunday 18th July 2010.

Head Office Development

Due to increased demand for Credit Union services, we have now recently appointed an Administration Officer and two Business Support Officers. These three appointments are necessary for the current and future growth of the Credit Union and to meet our targets and objectives for our 5 year business plan.

Tudor Trust Grant

The second year element of the Tudor Trust Grant, which funds our Office Manager position has been received. The Board are grateful to the Tudor Trust Trust for this essential support during our major growth period.

Change to Credit Union Legislation

The change in Credit Union legislation originally due for 1st October 2009 was delayed until April 2010, and is now delayed again until August 2010. This is a disappointment as we had hoped to take up the potential benefits as soon as possible.

Local Office Development

Development across the County is progressing rapidly with new local offices opened or soon to be open. We are delighted to announce the opening of our first Community Bank in Thetford as of 1st July 2010. Please see the Community Bank section for more information. There are plans for a second Community Bank in Thetford over the forthcoming weeks and we are also in discussion with various organisations with a view to opening at least two Community Banks in Gt. Yarmouth in the near future. 

Donation

A donation of £500 to help with the development of our Dereham local office has been received from a person who wishes to remain anonymous. We are most grateful for this very kind and generous support.

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