'Life-changing' bank charity celebrates five years

Guernsey Chamber of Commerce selected Guernsey Community Savings (GCS) as its charity of the year 2024 (Alice Gill is pictured with the founder of GCS Peter Neville)

A charity which helps people including ex-offenders overcome financial and social exclusion by offering accessible banking is celebrating its fifth anniversary.

Guernsey Community Savings (GCS) said its mission was to help people previously excluded from society due to not having a bank account.

Charity founder and chair Peter Neville said the support they offered could have a life-changing impact, with hundreds of people supported since the charity was set up in 2020.

"Opening a bank account may sound small but for many of our clients it means independence, stability and the chance to rebuild their lives," he said.

'Dignity and respect'

The charity's work also includes supporting pre-release prisoners through its financial education programme.

A reception to celebrate the anniversary was held at Government House on Thursday evening.

Mr Neville 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."

He said it was satisfying to see many of the charity's clients being able to manage their finances "and make a success of their lives".

He added: "If we lose a client because he or she has moved to mainstream banking, we regard that as a win."

Mr Neville said he wanted to thank all those who had supported the charity.

The Lieutenant-Governor, Lieutenant General Sir Richard Cripwell, who hosted Thursday's event, said GCS had been making "a quiet and extremely effective difference in our community".

He added: "This vital work makes a real difference to those who need the assistance the most and I would like to thank all those who make it possible."