The storm, declared a ‘major incident’ in Northamptonshire after heavy rainfall led to significant flooding across the country, saw many people forced to leave their homes, roads being closed and Northampton’s railway station submerged. 

Since the storm our team have been inundated with calls and to date have helped more than 50 Northamptonshire households, providing emergency loans totalling more than £86,500. 

Richard Munro, Interim Chief Executive, explained: “At Commsave we are committed to helping people when they are most in need, so we are delighted to have been able to help our members with emergency loans – to get them back on their feet after this devastating storm. Some people have needed urgent home repairs while there are some who lost everything except the clothes on their backs. We continue to be here to help with whatever our members most need.” 

As a credit union, we are set up to help people regularly save and improve access to responsible credit. Our vision is: ‘To see a world where everyone is financially included, with access to responsible credit, a safe method of saving, with financial skills to manage their money wisely, and achieve long term wellbeing.’ 

In the last year we have awarded more than £32 million in loans to over 8,420 members and in the wake of Storm Bert it recorded a spike in calls from Northamptonshire residents wanting to join Commsave. 

Richard added: “At Commsave we're committed to empowering people with the financial skills they need to manage their money. One of our key aims and priorities is to help our members save regularly and become financially resilient. We aren’t surprised by all the calls we have been getting and we would encourage all households in Northamptonshire to think about joining Commsave. It is free to join and by being a Commsave member you will have support to save and support in times of crisis.”