Credit Union Incentive Service for Hartlepool Residents

Hartlepool Council is commissioning a Credit Union service as part of the Crisis Resilience Fund (CRF), a national funding programme running from April 2026 to March 2029. The service will incentivise saving behaviour among Hartlepool residents to build financial resilience and reduce reliance on emergency support. The Credit Union will work with the Council's Welfare Support Team to help individuals and communities manage financial shocks—unexpected expenses or income drops—and build long-term capacity to handle crises independently. This represents a shift from short-term crisis mitigation to prevention and financial empowerment. The provider will deliver accessible, supportive services that enable residents to improve their financial control, maintain stability, and avoid escalating into crisis situations.