Community bank offers apprentice full-time role 

Acorn Community Bank’s first-ever apprentice impressed staff so much during his training that he has been made a permanent employee.

George Woollands, 19 – a Level 3 Business Administration apprentice with Cirencester College – spent two years at the bank, which helps people on low incomes all over Wiltshire save and borrow to prevent them from resorting to payday lenders.

After starting with the member services department at its base in Swindon, organising memberships, loan applications, collection sheets, working with credit control, and answering phones and emails, George had done so well that he took on some of the bank’s marketing responsibilities. 

He explained, “I think you know almost straight away if you are going to enjoy a job and pretty much immediately I felt that connection towards the work. Even when I came for the interview, I felt a sense of community and the passion of the people working there for helping others. The entire team here has been supportive of me all the way.” 

As well as his membership duties he now helps run the bank’s social media, particularly its TikTok account.

Among the other tasks he has taken on are overseeing work placement students and organising Acorn’s Comic Relief day.

With more than 10,000 members in Wiltshire, Swindon, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire, Acorn provides affordable loans for people who are unable to get credit elsewhere. Members open savings accounts and, provided they meet loan criteria, can take out loans which are repaid monthly. Over the last six months it has made 1,153 loans worth £1,087,095. 

George, who is from Devizes, was only told towards the end of his apprenticeship that his post would be made permanent.

“I suppose I had been hoping for the best,” he said. “But it is a really good feeling to know I’ve got that security and I can actually use what I learned from my apprenticeship.” 

Membership Development Manager, Phoebe Fernandes, said George had made a good impression with staff right from the start.

“George brought a real level of maturity to the role in the way he approaches work and what he does day to day,” she said. “He has such a strong work ethic and is a very valued member of Acorn, I rely on him a lot.” 

Clive Henly, Chief Executive of Acorn Community Bank, added, “As our first apprentice, George has been a real success because he has thrown himself into the work and shown that he is excellent in dealing with people, either face-to-face, on the phone or by email. 

“He works well with our team and has shown his creative side through our social media. He is a real asset to the team.” 

For more details about the bank’s services or to get in touch go to: acorncommunitybank.co.uk. 

Pictured: Acorn Member Services Manager Gemma Sadler, left, with Member Services and Marketing Officer George Woollands and Membership Development Manager Phoebe Fernandes