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Being the Managing Director of a successful company that helps businesses find skilled employees, you might be forgiven in thinking that Lee didn’t need much help to get where he is today. But it may surprise you to learn that when he set up GR8 in 2018, he was still one of our customers receiving financial support.

“Getting me on back on track to where I am now, Community Savings made everything easier from providing an account to supporting me with practical budgeting guidance,” Lee says. “This might sound like a bit of a cliché, but with their help, I realised that it was ok to be not ok. We all go through bad times, so if you need help, ask for it.”

After a successful career in the armed forces and the police, Lee’s dreams of running a hospitality business ended when the business folded. A divorce, various bereavements, mounting debts and having relied on the business for his banking, he was unable to open a personal bank account, this led to a brief period of sofa surfing and relying on social security.

“Being in a dark place is bad and you don’t always want to reach out for support, for fear of stigma and what people would think of me.  I felt like a third-class citizen and considered myself a failure.”

At this point nearing rock bottom, he addressed his issues and sought support through a counsellor and reignited his drive that had all but gone, and then a great opportunity arose.

Lee continued, “I applied for a job with the Government, supporting young people through Advance to Work. But I needed a bank account and every bank in Jersey said no because I had a bad credit history and petty debts claims against the business and in turn me, I was in a bad place.”

Having heard about Community Savings, Lee came in to see us despite feeling embarrassed about using our services. As he began to feel more at ease about the help we were able to provide, he began to rebuild his life. Without being able to open an account with us, his story might have been very different.

Lee says, “It was one of those eureka moments. I decided life was going to change and I got involved in positive thinking and from there I went upwards and upwards. I only closed my Community Savings account two years ago. It was a sad day because I’d had an account for years and every Christmas I would go in with a big bag of cakes or chocolates to say thank you to the team. The staff were so friendly and supportive during the dark times. They made it very easy for me.”

19th October 2022 – The Managing Director of Jersey-based recruitment company has revealed how Community Savings helped him turn his life around and go on to set up the business he now runs.

Lee Madden, Managing Director of GR8, the Channel Islands’ leading blue-collar employment specialist, was homeless, depressed and in debt but wants to tell his story so that others in a similar position seek the help that’s available.

Community Savings has appointed Mr Madden as an Ambassador of the charity.

Steve Eldred, Managing Director of Community Savings, said: “We are delighted that Lee has agreed to be one of our ambassadors. Lee’s story will strike a chord with many islanders who have gone through challenging times but have managed to turn their lives around with support. We hope that this will show others that it is ok to ask for help, particularly in the current economic crises, and that Community Savings is here to help people when they need it the most.”

Lee added: “I didn’t know about Community Savings until I had hit rock bottom and had nowhere else to turn. A friend told me about their services, and I stayed with them for years, even when I was setting up this business. Without their support, even if it was just being able to have a friendly chat with their staff, I don’t know what I would have done.”

As an Ambassador, Lee is sharing his story with the hope that others will come forward to seek help.

“Not long after I went to see them, I realised that I was not alone, and it was ok not to be ok. I hope that this will help people take that difficult first step and reach out to an organisation like Community Savings. I was sofa surfing, I had huge debts and I couldn’t get a bank account, but little by little, with their help, I managed to get my life back on track. You should never be scared about asking for help. Even when you are in your worst place things can get better, and you can achieve your goals. In my case, I pulled through thanks to their help.”

Jersey charity, Community Savings, has today launched their new brand and website that has been made possible through a generous three-year sponsorship agreement with Santander International.

Funds from the sponsorship are being utilised to support marketing and website development to raise awareness of the charity and help broaden its reach across the Island.

Community Savings provides access to basic financial services for Islanders who would otherwise be excluded from having a bank account. It also offers debt advice, financial mentoring and emergency funding by way of low-cost loans and grants.

The charity also works with schools and colleges to deliver a financial education programme to local students aged 11 to 18.

Brian Curtis, Executive Chairman of Community Savings, says: “We are delighted with our new brand and website. The choice of our red squirrel logo embodies our strong link to Jersey and is a symbol for planning and saving for the future. The squirrel also reflects the friendly and trustworthy support that we provide to anyone who has found themselves, usually through no fault of their own, in need of help. We will be embarking on a strong campaign to raise awareness of Community Savings across Jersey to ensure that people who are having financial difficulties know where to turn. We are grateful for the support that Santander International is giving us and look forward to continuing to work with them.” James Pountney, Chief Executive Officer from Santander International added: “Community Savings brings financial inclusion for many Islanders who aren’t able to access products and services from regular high-street banks. It has been our pleasure to be able to support this important charity and the rollout of the new brand and website will help to raise awareness and ensure that vulnerable Islanders know that support and assistance are available.

This unique space at 13-15 Charing Cross is designed to offer a new high street banking experience, bringing together finance and the community in a town centre location that is open to everyone. Over a year of renovations take the building up to the highest standards, with spacious, well ventilated rooms, accessible bathrooms, and easy-to-clean surfaces.

The barista area, which is run by Cargo, features freshly prepared food and sustainably sourced coffee, which are currently available for takeaway. When paying with a Santander International debit card there will be a 30% discount on hot drinks and 15% on freshly prepared food.

Customers will be able to attend face-to-face appointments with banking or mortgage Relationship Managers, however, the five free bookable meeting rooms and co-working stations will not be available for use until physical distancing measures permit.

James Pountney, CEO, Santander International, said: “The Santander Work Café will initially be open to anyone who would like to talk to our team about their banking or mortgage needs. Once COVID-19 restrictions lift, the Santander Work Café will offer a unique banking, meeting, and co-working environment for all Islanders in the heart of St Helier.”

Santander has over 80 Work Cafés in nine countries around the world. As well as the meeting rooms, co-working space, and café experience, customers will be able to meet relationship managers in the building, open and manage accounts and mortgages, and withdraw money by using an ATM.

John Burns, Santander Work Café Director, said: “The team has been working hard over the past few months preparing for our first customers and we are all looking forward to developing the services and, eventually, the events, that will make the Santander Work Café a vibrant and inviting place for the community.”

Under COVID-19-regulations, customers are requested to follow physical distancing within the Santander Work Café, to wear a mask, sanitise hands and use the contact tracing app.

Simon Crowcroft, Connétable of St Helier, said: “The Santander Work Café is a welcome addition to St Helier and another positive development in the regeneration of Charing Cross. Multi-purpose sites such as this show how organisations can work to serve the community and highlight how we can continue to help our town centre adapt to the changing needs of Islanders.”

Jersey charity, Community Savings, is pleased to announce a three-year sponsorship agreement with Santander International. Funds from the sponsorship will be utilised to support marketing and website development to raise awareness of the charity and help broaden its reach across the Island. This welcome contribution will substantially support the work that the charity does to help those members of the local community who are financially or socially disadvantaged.

Community Savings provides access to basic financial services for Islanders who would otherwise be excluded from having a bank account. It also offers debt advice and financial mentoring as well as emergency funding by way of low-cost loans and grants.

The charity also works with schools and colleges to deliver a financial education programme to local students aged 11 to 18.

Brian Curtis, Executive Chairman of Community Savings, says: “We are very pleased to be working with Santander International. The work we do is vital in helping those who are struggling to get their finances and, subsequently, their lives back on track. It benefits not only the individual and their families, but also society in general. As a Jersey registered charity, we are hugely reliant on grants and donations and the support that Santander is providing is invaluable, especially during these difficult times.”

James Pountney, Chief Executive Officer from Santander International added: “Community Savings brings financial inclusion for many Islanders who aren’t able to access products and services from regular high-street banks. We’re looking forward to working with Community Savings, helping them to raise their profile, so more people in our community can access and benefit from their services.”