Scarborough's Charity Starts at Home

Press release published on 3 July 2007 by Scarborough Building Society

Scarborough Building Society has teamed up with Home-Start Lincoln to give local families a much-needed boost.

Branch staff have donated their time and money to help organise a children’s party at the Daisy Maid Ice cream Parlour in Skellingthorpe this Saturday, for families involved with the scheme.

Home-Start is a national family support charity with a network of local branches across the country, helping parents to cope with issues ranging from social isolation to money problems or post-natal depression.

Last year, the Lincoln scheme helped over 200 families with young children who are struggling to cope. This event involving the two organisations marks the start of a three-year relationship which has been borne out of both the Society’s and Home-Start’s commitment to helping local families to improve their lives.

Scarborough is offering its funding in conjunction with its Family Saver account, aimed at encouraging the whole family to get into the savings habit. Home-Start will receive £1 for every account opened at its Cornhill branch, subject to a minimum donation of £500 per year for the next three years.

Scarborough Building Society’s Lincoln branch manager, Pam Tutty, said: ‘We are proud to be associated with an organisation which has such an important role to play in our local community.

‘Home-Start represents an important source of support for many families and we hope that our partnership will give the charity an additional source of funding for the foreseeable future.

‘We want to encourage families to save for their future. With today’s growing debt culture, it’s so important to develop a savings habit, in order to cope better with life’s ups and downs.

‘As a mutual building society, we believe we have a duty to our members and our communities to help make a difference to their lives, and we hope that supporting Home-Start will enable us to do so.’

Mandy Sowerby, Manager of Home-Start Lincoln, said: ‘We thank the Scarborough for getting involved with us on a local level. We aim to create a secure and happy environment for the families we support – and often financial security is a concern.

‘This event is a fun way of helping families who have been supported by the charity over the past year. It’s a great way for people to build up their network and make friends.

‘This partnership and other initiatives resulting from the partnership will help increase our profile in the area. Future donations will go towards activities like our summer outing and Christmas party, which are not only fun but can be vital steps to help isolated families or parents with little confidence.’

The Family Saver account is a further example of activities Scarborough is engaging in as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment, through which it aims to have a positive impact on the communities surrounding its heartland branch network.

More information about the Family Saver account is available from the Society’s local branches. Anyone who is unable to make it to one of our branches is welcome to call our friendly Scarborough Direct savings team on 0845 458 4522, who will be happy to discuss other highly competitive savings options which may meet their needs.

Alternatively, for more information about the full range of Scarborough products, they can visit our website at www.scarboroughbs.co.uk.

For more information about Home-Start Lincoln visit www.home-start.org.uk or call 01522 569997.

Key Facts About The Family Saver Account

• Available exclusively to parents and guardians of children with a Young Supersaver account at their registered address
• Can be opened with as little as £1
• Easy access account offering unlimited withdrawals without penalties
• One great interest rate regardless of the level of the balance – currently 4.80% annual interest
• Available exclusively through the branch network

Home-Start

Home-Start recruits and trains volunteers to support parents with children under five years old. It is the leading family support charity in the UK. Its service is open to everyone and its home visiting work is unique in the UK. The charity was set up in 1973 and now supports almost 34,000 families and nearly 70,000 children each year. More than 15,000 volunteers visit families in their own homes – parents supporting other parents in a variety of situations including isolation, bereavement, multiple births, or illness or disability. For support, to volunteer or to donate: www.home-start.org.uk or 0800 068 63 68. Press enquiries to Home-Start Communications Office 0870 220 6712.

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