Save and Sound

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Save and Sound

Save and Sound is an oral history and heritage project that was  set up by the Credit Union Foundation to make sure that the early days of credit unions in Britain are not forgotten.

In 2020, the project was awarded funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.  This enabled it to collect the unique personal memories from credit union pioneers in the north of England along with photos and materials.  A number of events were hosted and the project continues to help people learn more about the history and heritage of British credit unions.

“A wide range of people have been involved in establishing credit unions in Britain, from churches and community groups to trade unions and local government. I look forward to Save and Sound producing a collection of interviews which reflects the diversity of influences within the sector.” Dr Paul A. Jones, Reader in the Social Economy, Liverpool John Moores University

Funding and Partners

The project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and has been made possible by money raised by National Lottery players. The Credit Union Foundation is working in partnership with the Association of British Credit Unions Ltd (ABCUL) to deliver the project.  The interviews will become part of the national oral history collection cared for by the British Library where they will be available to generations of researchers.

“These interviews will enrich the national collection of oral histories with detailed, personal testimonies about the foundation of credit unions, and their day to day function. On behalf of National Life Stories at the British Library, I am delighted that researchers now and in the future will be able to access to these recordings alongside our other rich holdings on the banking and finance sectors.” Mary Stewart, Curator, Oral History, British Library

Save and Sound:

• Provided training to volunteers in oral history techniques and supporting them to carry out 40 interviews in the north of England and beyond.
• Created this website, to host interview clips, photos and other material collected from credit unions and digitised by volunteers.
• Held events where people could share memories and learn more about credit union heritage.
• Created a toolkit to enable similar projects to be carried out in other parts of England, Scotland and Wales.   If you are interested in working with the Credit Union Foundation to build on the work carried out by Save and Sound, please contact admin@creditunionfoundation.org.uk for more information.  There is also a small amount of equipment bought for the original project that you may be able to make use of.

“The Credit Union Foundation is proud to have been entrusted with this important project. It is because of the commitment and enthusiasm of our credit union pioneers that communities and workplaces can now access safe savings and affordable credit. Save and Sound will ensure that their efforts are not forgotten.” Lord Kennedy of Southwark, Credit Union Foundation Trustee Board Chair.