Community-Led Action and Savings Support

Community-Led Action and Savings Support (CLASS) is a registered UK charity (charity number 1188480) dedicated to supporting and facilitating women-led community and coproduction processes aimed at reducing poverty and inequality. It primarily provides professional development and networking support to savings groups affiliated with the Community Savers network, which is a women-led coalition of neighbourhood associations focused on addressing social and economic injustices.

Mission and Objectives

CLASS's mission centers on empowering low-income women and community leaders by promoting women’s leadership and community expertise. The charity works to strengthen community associations, improve financial resilience through savings initiatives, enhance wellbeing, and foster inclusive coproduction and voice in partnership with key stakeholders. CLASS prioritizes gender-sensitive approaches in all its programs, aiming to build sustainable solutions to urban poverty and inequality.

Activities

• Supporting savings groups associated with the Community Savers network through development support and capacity building.
• Facilitating networking among affiliated groups, projects, and campaigns at local, national, and international levels to exchange learning and effective strategies.
• Engaging in community exchanges and dialogues to share ideas for reducing poverty.
• Developing professional and technical partnerships, including collaborations with academic institutions and drawing lessons from global networks such as Shack/Slum Dwellers International.
• Promoting women-led leadership and community coproduction processes to advance social, economic, and climate justice.

Governance and Operations

The charity is governed jointly with the Community Savers leadership, following collaborative governance processes to ensure the organization is led by, for, and with the community it serves. As of the latest reports, CLASS operates with a board of six trustees and engages six volunteers. It does not have employees receiving salaries above £60,000, nor does it have trading subsidiaries or trustee remuneration.

Financial Overview

For the financial year ending 29 February 2024, CLASS reported a total income of approximately £197,587 and total expenditure of about £187,319. The charity's income supports its development programs, networking activities, and partnership engagements focused on poverty reduction.

Impact

CLASS supports a community network where approximately 1,300 people benefit from its activities, with 67% reporting changed attitudes towards money management and the importance of saving, and 95% expressing more positive outlooks on life. The charity’s work contributes to stronger community associations and enhanced financial and social wellbeing, particularly for women in low-income communities.

Links to Community Savers

CLASS is closely affiliated with Community Savers, a broader network of neighbourhood associations taking action against poverty and inequality through local coalitions. Together, they work on initiatives encompassing women's leadership, financial resilience, wellbeing, and co-production, aiming to create lasting social change in urban communities.

This article synthesizes information from the official Community Savers and Charity Commission sources related to Community-Led Action and Savings Support (CLASS)[1][2][3][5].

[1] https://communitysavers.net/class/ [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5144105 [3] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5144105/full-print [4] https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/CE021083 [5] https://communitysavers.net