After a very successful first year in the post, Durham County Council’s Durham Savers Project Officer Paul Atkinson, has been appointed for a further year in post to help schools, families and businesses engage in saving in County Durham.
In the first year, Durham Savers has introduced over 500 young people to saving, and helped businesses in Aycliffe introduce salary savings schemes to their employees.
Paul has also been busy building relationships with key advocates across Durham, including Police, Crime & Victims’ Commissioner Ron Hogg, who has offered real support to the project. As a result of this, the Durham Savers Project is working closely with the Police Cadets Unit, Mini Police and Proceeds of Crime, and in the last 6 months has helped the Stop Loan Sharks Team identify and prosecute illegal lenders in the region.
Paul has also been working closely with the 3 AAP’s who fund the project, Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP) East Durham Rural Corridor and Spennymoor, Business Durham, Durham Business Opportunities Programme, South Durham Enterprise Agency and many businesses in the south of the County to spread the message about the benefits of saving at work.
Brian Riley, GAMP Coordinator said, “On behalf of all 3 AAPs, we are delighted to have Paul continue his role with the Durham Savers project and the benefits this will bring to local residents, schools and businesses.”
Anyone interested in being part of the project should contact: savers@Durham.gov.uk
