Team
We operate in Cumbria and Tyne & Wear providing a range of services in the area of Financial Inclusion.
Nick Jepps Senior Financial Inclusion Officer 01228 633681
Kathryn Hurst Administration assistant 01228 633680
Jennifer Burgess NW Coordinator 07843 471240
Colin Hall NE Coordinator 07843 471241
Nicola Bate Field based advisor 07843 471221
We can be contacted at:
Financial Inclusion Team
Impact Housing Association
47 Nelson Street
Carlisle
Cumbria
CA2 5NE
General enquires to
Telephone 01228 633680
Fax 01228 633684 Back to top
Financial Inclusion Services
Opening a bank account
Opening a bank account should be a straightforward process but there are situations when difficulties can arise e.g. just moved to a new address or don’t have a passport/driving licence. This leaflet based on our extensive experience of opening bank accounts will guide you through the process of deciding which bank, type of account and gathering the necessary forms of identity.
Supporting new bank account holders
If you haven’t had a bank account before it can be daunting when the first statement arrives. This service will hopefully answer all your questions for you and ensure that you get the most out of your bank account whilst keeping the bank manager happy.
Debt advice
Debt can easily develop. It may be planned because you need to buy a new cooker or washing machine. Or it may be the result of a neglected utility bill. However the debt has developed this leaflet will help you make the right choice when paying the debt and offer useful hints and advice in planning for the future.
Income maximisation
Making sure that you get all the benefits you are entitled to receive and that you aren’t paying too much income tax will ensure that the maximum amount of income is coming into the home. Not only will this leaflet give advice and guidance on these issues but it will also help you get the most out of however much money you have. You will receive advice on a broad range of subjects from how you pay for electricity through to where and how to shop.
Contents insurance
Going around a home valuing all your possessions can be a real eye-opener. You may have thought that you had nothing of real value but when the cost of replacing clothes and basic electrical goods is calculated you quickly realise that replacing them if they were lost in a fire, flood or burglary would be a real problem. Taking out contents insurance is the only way to protect yourself and your family. Ensuring that you select the correct policy to meet your needs can be confusing. This leaflet explains the options open to you and how to get the best cover to meet your needs.
Child Trust Fund
The Governments Child Trust Fund is a really good way to start saving for your child’s future. Deciding which type of fund can be rather confusing. Everyone has different needs and its essential that you pick the correct package from the hundreds on the market that will ensure that your child has the maximum amount in their fund when it matures. This leaflet will help you decide what sort of fund that you wish to open and will detail the top performing products from which to select.
Will writing service
Having a will produced can be considered a morbid thing to be doing especially if you are young. However if you die unexpectedly how can you be sure that your possessions and money go to the people who are important to you? Drawing up a will ensures that family and friends know exactly what your wishes are and you can be certain that those wishes are followed to the letter. Another reason that many people give for not getting a will produced is the cost. It can cost over £100 to get a solicitor to produce a will. Impact Housing Association offers a will writing service which is only £10 including production of three copies of the document. The leaflet explains how you can access this service. Back to top
DWP Direct Payment 
Direct Payment is Here...................
Benefit books are finished - everyone who receives benefits is now required to have their benefits paid directly from their benefits agency into a bank, building society or Post Office account. Many people have already opened bank or Post Office Card accounts (POCAs), but there are still some that have yet to do so, for a number of reasons.
Common concerns have been identified, such as difficulties obtaining appropriate ID, fear of change, literacy issues, PINs, using cash cards, access of banks, cash machines and many more.
If you have not yet opened an appropriate account to receive your benefits and you live in Cumbria or Tyne & Wear there is help available.
Please Phone 01228 633680 and speak with Kathryn Hurst for further information, alternatively you can e-mail her on,
[email protected]
or click on the link below to contact the Banks and Building Society's directly.
Bank Information & Contact Details
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Research
To ensure that the individuals were managing their new bank/Post Office accounts and that no problems were developing. The market research was conducted in two linked but separate studies.
The first study involved telephoning 350 clients that we had assisted in the opening an account. The sample was selected randomly from clients that we had assisted more than 3 months previously. All respondents had been referred to Impact Housing Association as a result of the Department for Work & Pensions direct payment of benefits.
Headline results
- 60% of individuals opened a bank account and 40% opened a Post Office Card Account (POCA)
- 90% of respondents were happy with the service provided by DWP
- 70% of the individuals interviewed were happy with the move to direct payment of benefits identifying the ease of obtaining money and the fact that they recognised the need to have a bank account.
- 70% of individuals opening a Post Office Card Accounts (POCAs) were not happy with the new account. The main reasons for the dissatisfaction were- Don’t like the PIN card and disliked the need to change from the old Giro books
- 40% of those individuals opening a bank account were dissatisfied with the service provided by bank staff
- When asked what support they would like 65% said budgeting and 50% said financial advice
- 56% of respondents indicated that they had current loans with providers of high interest loans
The second study involved individuals in the 16-25 year old age group. This study was designed to identify what features of a current account/banking service were of real importance to the individual. The study made use of a mathematical model that quantified qualitative features of a bank account/service. In the study results the higher the numerical value the greater the importance of the feature.
Headline results
In this target group the results were very clear with three features of critical importance
- Good access to ATMs
- Staff in the bank are welcoming
- Bank provides assistance with the opening of accounts
What was also particularly interesting was the low interest in access to a credit card and a chequebook
Clicking here can access the full results of the study
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Credit Union
What’s a Credit Union? A Credit Union is a community based banking service offering saving and lending facilities to its members. They are non-profit making with all surpluses being paid to members in the form of a dividend. Credit Unions operate in specific areas and anyone living or working in that area can become a member. The real benefit of Credit Unions is the low cost loans that can be accessed after 13 weeks/3months of regular saving. There are no credit checks made and it is normally possible to borrow up to double the amount that you have in your savings account. For further details of the Credit Unions operating in Cumbria and to see if you are eligible for membership, contact the Credit Unions direct.
Credit Unions in Cumbria
Carlisle & District Credit Union Ltd, Currock House Community Centre, Lediard Avenue, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA2 4BS. Telephone 01228 594007
Cleator Moor & District Credit Union Ltd, Cleator Moor Council Centre, Market Square , Cleator Moor , Cumbria , CA25 5AP. Telephone 01946 817508
Egremont & District Credit Union Ltd, c/o Orgill Community Development Centre, Southey Avenue, Egremont, Cumbria, CA22 2HH. Telephone 01946 820234
Furness Credit Union Ltd, 66 Crellin Street , Barrow-In-Furness , Cumbria , LA14 1DS. Telephone 01229 826932
Maryport & North Allerdale Credit Union Ltd, c/o 2 Bounty Avenue, Ewanrig, Maryport, Cumbria, CA15 8HY. Telephone 01900 812071
Millom & District Credit Union Ltd, 3 Market Square , Millom , Cumbria , LA18 4HZ. Telephone 01229 775877
Whitehaven Credit Union , St Peters Parish Hall, Lakeland Avenue , Whitehaven , Cumbria , CA28 9PR. Telephone 01946 67645
Workington & District Credit Union Ltd, The Trades Hall Lodge, 52 Finkle Street, Workington, Cumbria, CA14 2AZ. Telephone 01900 63642
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Saving Gateway
The Saving Gateway is a Government savings account currently in the final pilot stage. There are 20,000 by invitation only accounts in this second stage pilot. As part of the study Impact Housing Association is providing financial literacy training for the 2,000 accounts opened in Cumbria and North Lancashire . The training is based on a board game called Financial Pursuit that will appeal to all ages.
To request a free copy of this game please contact Nick Jepps at or by phone 01228 633681
If you have any queries concerning a Saving Gateway account please contact the branch of the Halifax Building Society where you opened the account or telephone the Halifax call centre on 0870 6005000.
Should you still have unresolved issues concerning the Saving Gateway please contact Nick Jepps at or by phone 01228 633681
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