Welcome To issue 5 of Mutual magazine
As we look ahead to another busy week, I find myself reflecting on the start of 2025.
How have we already reached May? Time has flown by, and so much has happened in just five months...
Issue 5 is packed with updates on the local projects and charities we’ve been supporting. This includes news from some of the 2024 grants we supported and how their projects have transformed their communities. We’ve also included an overview of our partnership with the Hertfordshire Community Foundation and our collaboration since the beginning.
Thinking about my colleagues across the Society fills me with pride. We continue to develop and improve our relationships with our members. Every day brings new challenges, but we face them together with determination and enthusiasm, always upholding our values towards our members.
Our community is still the heart and soul of everything we do. It is fascinating to read all the stories shared by colleagues – they are incredibly inspiring. I know there are more events and stories to follow in the next issue. We are immensely proud of all the achievements and support our colleagues provide to the community and local initiatives.
There is also an update from Youth Talk, and you can hear the latest news from our Leighton Buzzard and Harpenden branches. I am delighted to see my colleague Gary Richardson, our Director of IT & Transformation, provide an update on the recent improvements we have made to enhance our services and propositions for our members.
We also include some general savings advice, which is really useful, and a savings blog from our Product Manager for Savings, Jon Sweeting. We’re always looking for topical content, and we’ve included helpful advice to protect yourself against pension scams, which are currently prevalent. Another common scam is credit card fraud. We’ve written some useful tips to ensure you know what to look out for, and to stay protected.
I won’t spoil it, but there’s also information about an exciting Building Societies Association campaign, the results of our AGM, and a new colleague spotlight. We’re committed to delivering information that’s both useful and relevant to you. If there’s anything you’d like to learn more about – whether it’s online security, avoiding scams, or any other topic – please don’t hesitate to reach out to our editorial team.
And, of course, we’d love to hear your own stories and accomplishments. Sharing them in future issues is one of our favourite ways to connect with our community.
Enjoy reading Issue 5 and thank you for being such an integral part of our Harpenden family.
Tracie Pearce Chief Executive