The Charter Mark is awarded to organisations who are committed to supporting and promoting the work of the SIMLU and for taking a zero-tolerance stance on illegal money lending within their communities. Recipients have also pledged to work in partnership with the SIMLU to increase their reach within communities and to increase the confidence of residents to enable them to report illegal loan shark activity safely.

The aim of the Charter Mark is to create a network of organisations actively seeking to uncover and tackle illegal lending, but most importantly, that network will help to stop people from ever using loan sharks in the first place.

It is vitally important to create an environment where people feel that they can report illegal lenders without any personal risk to themselves – this can only be done through close relationships with frontline agencies.

If your organisation would be interested in signing up to the Charter Mark or if you would like more information, please get in touch. In a period of great financial uncertainty, it is important that we take all the steps we can to stop people from borrowing from loan sharks and getting trapped in a cycle of debt and intimidation.

To find out more about how to sign your organisation up to the Stop Loan Sharks Charter Mark email us or call 0800 074 0878.

Discovery Credit Union (August 2024)

Discovery Credit Union is a locally based, not for profit, financial co-operative owned and run by its members, for its members.
They provide members with a safe, secure place to save as well as a place to borrow money.
Their mission is to promote the financial wellbeing of their members.

Website: www.discoverycu.co.uk

Kingdom Community Bank (June 2024)

Kingdom Community Bank is a credit union. They are a local not-for-profit financial co-operative owned and controlled by their members.
Their mission is to promote the financial wellbeing of people living or working in Fife.
They aim to encourage good money management, saving and the responsible use of credit.

Website: https://kingdomcb.org.uk/

The Salvation Army (April 2024)

The Salvation Army has 25 debt advice centres across the UK, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), providing practical advice and pastoral care to those facing financial hardship.
Debt advisors and volunteers work with people to develop debt repayment plans, negotiate with creditors and provide money education to change habits and minimise the chance of debt recurring in the future

Website: www.salvationarmy.org.uk

The Edinburgh Partnership (February 2024)

The Edinburgh Partnership is the community planning partnership for the city. It brings together public agencies, third and private sectors with local communities to improve the city, its services and the lives of people who live and work there.

Website: www.edinburghpartnership.scot

Advice Direct Scotland (July 2023)

Advice Direct Scotland is Scotland’s largest digital advice agency, providing free and independent advice to the citizens of Scotland. Their moneyadvice.scot platform specialises in financial guidance and support, offering assistance with debt management, budgeting, and accessing financial assistance schemes..

Website: consumeradvice.scot

Your Pay Your Way (July 2023)

Your Pay Your Way Ltd is a social enterprise based in Scotland and offering a programme of financial education. Their Vision is to create a Scotland where people have a solid understanding of their personal finances and are equipped to make financial decisions with confidence.

Website: www.yourpayyourway.co.uk

Port of Leith Housing Association (June 2023)

Harbour Homes (previously Port of Leith Housing Association) provide desirable, affordable homes for social and mid market rent in Leith, north Edinburgh and neighbouring Portobello. Their mission is “To make a positive impact on people’s lives in Leith and north Edinburgh by providing affordable homes and services, and creating brilliant communities.”.

Website: harbour.scot

Stirling Council (March 2023)

Stirling Council provides local residents with a range of services including support such as grants, discounts, free school meals and Housing Benefit.

Website: www.stirling.gov.uk

Renfrewshire Affordable Credit Alliance (November 2021)

Renfrewshire Affordable Credit Alliance (RACA) is an alliance of organisations in Renfrewshire including advice providers and credit unions, supported by Renfrewshire’s third sector interface and Renfrewshire Council to champion fair and honest credit. They know that everyone will need to borrow at some point, no matter their circumstances, and they are working to ensure that everyone knows their options open to them without resorting to illegal lending.

Website: www.raca.org.uk

Association of British Credit Unions (September 2021)

The Association of British Credit Unions Limited (ABCUL) is the main trade association for credit unions in Britain, representing credit unions to governments, policy makers and the media. ABCUL provides a full range of information, training and development services to help its members grow as sustainable financial services providers.

Website: www.abcul.coop

Grampian Regional Equality Council (GREC) (August 2021)

GREC is a registered charity based in Aberdeen, taking a leading role in advancing equality across North East Scotland – including Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray. They work to tackle prejudice and discrimination, celebrate diversity, build positive community relations, and provide evidence to change policy and practice.

Website: https://grec.co.uk/

Wheatley Group (December 2020)

Wheatley is a housing, care and property-management group which delivers services to over 210,000 people across 19 local authorities in Scotland. They seek, with partners, to break the cycle of poverty and exclusion that many of their customers still experience.

Website: www.wheatley-group.com

StepChange (December 2020)

StepChange Debt Charity is the UK’s leading debt advice charity. They help over 630,000 people each year deal with their money worries and take back control of their lives. They provide free and impartial advice, online and by phone, as well managed debt solutions and help with budgeting.

Website: www.stepchange.org