It was great to see Andy Burnham visit one of SoundPound’s member organisations, No 1 Copperpot and to hear him reflect on what collaborative, place-based finance can achieve in Greater Manchester.
Whilst there, Andy was interviewed by CEO Caroline Domanski and during the conversation highlighted two areas where SoundPound credit unions are already making a practical difference.
The Bee Network travel pass loans are helping people spread the cost of bus travel with an interest free loan, supporting access to work, education and everyday life.
The Better Home loans are enabling households to retrofit their homes, reduce energy bills and save money, while supporting the wider transition to a low-carbon Greater Manchester.
What matters most is that these products are not abstract ideas. They are live, working examples of how locally rooted credit unions can partner with the city region to support financial resilience, inclusion and long-term wellbeing.
If you live or work in Greater Manchester and are interested in affordable green home finance or help with travel costs, your local SoundPound credit union may be able to help.
If you are a local authority, housing provider, employer, or community organisation looking to work with trusted, not-for-profit lenders to reach people who are often excluded from mainstream finance, we would welcome a conversation.
This is what collaboration looks like when it is grounded in place, built on trust and focused on real outcomes for people and communities.