The Community Bank

by Gordon Lamont

Suitable for Whole School (Sec)

Aims

To demonstrate the purpose and effectiveness of a community credit union.

Preparation and materials

• Have available the YouTube video Community Bank and the means to show it during the assembly (available at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LduI4IZsKuY). It is five minutes long.
• Locate your nearest credit union by visiting: www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk/home
• Have available the song ‘You’ve got a friend’ by James Taylor and the means to play it at the end of the assembly.

Assembly

1. Begin the assembly by asking the students if they know the names of any ‘payday loan’ companies.
   
   
2. Now ask if any of them know of a credit union locally. Mention the one(s) you found on the website given in the ‘Preparation and materials’ section above and give the web address if you wish.
   
   
3. Play the Community Bank video.

Time for reflection

Ask the students to take a few moments to think about the contents of the video.

How do they think the person who borrowed £500 and then discovered that he or she owed over £800 felt?

Did they know before the assembly what credit unions do?

Music

‘You’ve got a friend’ by James Taylor