Speaker: Kodie, Royal Navy
When did you first hear about Serve and Protect Credit Union and why did you join?
Kodie: Hi. My name is Kodie and I'm a regular serving member of the Ghana Armed Forces. The Royal Navy to be precise. I first joined Serve and Protect that was 2021. That's three years ago when I first moved into the UK. And then I joined the armed forces. So after my phase one training, I was moved down to Portsmouth. And that was when a friend introduced me to Serve and Protect. This was the very time when I really needed financial support. So what they did was they were able to support me by giving me enough where I had to provide accommodation for my family back home in Ghana and then also to be able to provide, to complete my building project back home in Ghana. So they were able to support me financially. I was able to put my kids back in school and then also provide a decent accommodation for them. And then while in the UK here, I was also able to get some money to get myself a good car, which would take me from home to work. And so they really came at the very time when I needed them the most. And I want to say that they are doing a good job. And I also wanna recommend them for you because I know what they've done for me. I am currently looking forward into getting in touch with them again, as I need to bring my family back home from Ghana to come and join me here in the UK. And I know that they will be able to support me by giving me another loan to be able to, pay for my immigration and, Visa expenses, to enable my family to be able to join me. I just wanna say thank you. And I recommend them for you as well. Thank you.
How has the credit union helped you?
Kodie: Well, the credit union has helped me so being in the UK without any financial background, like not having a good credit rating because I'm a member of the Ghana Armed Forces. They were able to come into my aid because there was a time when I was looking for financial support. But because I've not been in the UK for a long time, I really didn't have much. But they came in and then they were able to support me financially and I was able to bring my family. I was able to, sorry, provide accommodation for my family back home in Ghana. I was able to put my kids back to school and then me being in the UK here, I was also able to get myself a decent car which takes me from home to work. And they've made life easier for me, especially trying to, you know, settle in the UK. And then also yeah, being a member of the armed forces, they've really been of a great help to me.
What is the best thing about being part of the credit union?
Kodie: The best thing about being part of the credit union, they provide you a better app that you are able to keep track on your progress. Like, you know, like you having access to the app that tells you how much you owe, how much you've paid, your outstanding balance. And then also, the good thing is that they give you an opportunity to do a personal savings that comes up from your monthly salary. So, you know, it's not like you're gonna forget that, oh, the time has come, and I've forgotten to pay my loan. But yeah, because it comes straight from your salary, as soon as your salary hits your bank account, you know, they've already taken it, which makes it more easier for me. And also it makes it more comfortable you having access to the app and then knowing your progress and then knowing how you are faring, you are also able to take money from your personal savings any time you need money from your personal savings. So for me, that is one aspect that I really enjoy about being a member of Serve and Protect.
