Guernsey Community Savings (GCS), Chamber’s charity partner, is celebrating its fifth anniversary, marking half a decade of helping islanders overcome financial and social exclusion.

 

Since opening its doors in 2020, the charity has supported almost 200 people in setting up bank accounts and provided budgeting advice and financial education to hundreds more.

Peter Neville, founder and chair of GCS, said, ‘When we started five years ago, our aim was simple: to help people access basic financial services, offer guidance where needed, and treat every client with dignity and respect.

‘Since then, we’ve helped almost 200 people set up accounts and we’ve seen first-hand the life-changing impact this support can have. Opening a bank account may sound small, but for many of our clients it means independence, stability, and the chance to rebuild their lives.

‘We’ve also given budgeting advice and training to several hundred more people, including through the financial education programme we run for pre-release prisoners at Guernsey Prison.

‘The really satisfying result is that many of our clients have been able to manage their finances and make a success of their lives. It’s worth remembering that we’re not in business to increase the number of clients we have. If we lose a client because he or she has moved to mainstream banking, we regard that as a win!

‘I want to thank everyone who has helped us reach this milestone, and I look forward with confidence as we continue extending our support to those we have yet to reach.’

What the clients say

“Community savings is such a good tool to have for people struggling to have bank accounts. Everyone there is so helpful and explains it all well.”

“I just want to take this opportunity to say an enormous thank you for the life changing support you have provided to me over these last few months. Your understanding and encouragement have really helped me in so many ways to start growing and rebuilding my life and taking back positive control of my finances despite the challenges.”

“I can save to get something I really want. Before if I had the cash I just spent it, now I can save.”

“I can go to any shop now, as not all shops now take cash, which was my only option.”

Guernsey Community Savings is Chamber’s nominated charity for 2025. Learn more about them here.