Our vision

  1. To develop the Malvern Hills No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) for the provision of relief to residents in the Malvern Hills District Council area.
  2. To secure sufficient resources to operate from an office at the South Worcestershire Citizens Advice Bureau, or suitable alternative, with the support of trained volunteers.
  3. To consider other ways Malvern Hills NILS might help with the alleviation of poverty, improvement of personal aspirations such as education, employment, housing, health, wellbeing and economic regeneration.
  4. To work with transport organisations to seek travel tokens/tickets to enable access to higher education, work experience or other necessary reasons for travel.
  5. To source local businesses who will provide a first class service, guarantees and realistic prices to all applicants.
  6. To have a comprehensive reserves policy to enable the Board of Trustees to have a clear and complete financial picture.
  7. To promote the NILS scheme throughout the district by contact with the local representatives and county councillors and to raise awareness throughout the community.
  8. To signpost applicants to other agencies to seek specialist advice or services eg debt counselling, benefit entitlement, charitable services.

Our current aims

  1. To ensure that disadvantaged people, and those on a low income, within the community who are unable to access commercial credit are able to access loans for necessary items/services.
  2. To offer people an alternative to the high interest providers, and loan sharks in order to help them improve their situation and avoid one that is worse in the longer term.

Who are we seeking to help/ what is the public benefit?

We aim to help:

  • Those to whom a loan of a few hundred pounds could make a substantial difference and who have no alternative source of such help.
  • Single people, families, elderly, sick or disabled, people estranged from family or partner, students.
  • Applicants must be 18 years and over.
  • People unable to access normal banking services/loans due to poor credit rating or low income.

We aim to empower:

  • To empower and also promote dignity and financial inclusion, budgeting skills i.e. servicing the loan etc.
  • The funds are aimed at people who are on benefits or low earnings – the funds are not available to pay off existing debts.
  • Local people are able to live normally and with additional support such as budget advice are empowered to improve their life chances.

What resources do we have?

  • Funds that enable us to offer a maximum loan of £300, unless agreed by the trustees.
  • Single people, families, elderly, sick or disabled, people estranged from family or partner, students.
  • Applicants must be 18 years and over.
  • People unable to access normal banking services/loans due to poor credit rating or low income.

What resources do we need?

  • To secure core funding to enable to the development of Malvern Hills NILS.
  • There is an expectation of growth resulting from our promotional work, this will result in additional administrative work.
  • Promotion of our services through local advertising, schools magazines, local services (e.g. doctors, police, local schools, housing associations and children’s centres).
  • Volunteers to help us raise funds and to guide and support applicants.

Can you help us?

Could you help us either with funds or your time? If so, please click the appropriate button below.