Set up by the people of Speke and Garston in Liverpool, Riverside Credit Union is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Formerly known as Speke Credit Union, the organisation was formed in 1989 to support families, friends and neighbours who were being exploited by loan sharks and doorstep lenders – and has been providing a safe savings facility and low-interest loans to thousands of people ever since.
Riverside now holds more than 2 million in member savings and has lent over £26m through 40,000 loans across Liverpool during its 30-year history. In its last 10 years, it has provided £19.5m in low-cost loans.
Manager Mike Knight, who joined the organisation five years after its launch, said: “It has been one of the greatest distinctions of my life to be able to say that, for the last 25 years, I have had the privilege of working with a group of people who came together in the spirit of co-operation, to produce an authentic community asset that will be in place long after we have all gone.
“Sadly, some of the original group of volunteers have passed away in that time. They were great people who genuinely cared about more than their own immediate needs. Others have moved out of the area. Unbelievably, however, they remain active to this day in their credit union.”
Mr Knight has also written a blog post which reflects on Riverside’s 30-year history in further detail, which you can read here.
