Over 500 delegates representing credit unions from 17 Caribbean countries, Ireland, Australia and the UK gathered to learn and cooperate at Caribbean Confederation for Credit Unions conference

Tia Warbrick was invited to attend and speak at the CCCU as she was selected to win this year’s WYCUP scholarship. This scholarship recognises individuals who have demonstrated leadership and exemplify a commitment to improving lives through financial cooperatives.

Reflecting on her experience, Tia shared,

Being selected for the scholarship was a huge honour. The CCCU conference was truly inspirational and such a vibrant and engaging event. It was such an incredible opportunity to witness and learn about the amazing work that Caribbean Credit Unions are doing. Hearing that some of the Caribbean countries have 100% penetration of the population being credit union members is so inspiring! We have a lot to learn.

Beyond attending informative sessions, Tia actively participated in a youth summit, where she engaged with over 70 young professionals from around the world. This summit provided a platform to discuss the future of the credit union movement, fostering collaboration and innovative thinking among the next generation of leaders.

The youth summit was a great opportunity to connect and learn from other likeminded young professionals on a global scale. These sessions are invaluable in moving the sector forward and creating space for young people to flourish.

The conference also tackled pressing global issues, including climate change. Tia and other scholarship recipients participated on a panel to contribute their credit unions insights on how they can and are mitigating environmental impacts. This is particularly crucial and important for regions disproportionately affected by the climate crisis. As part of their commitment to environmental stewardship, Tia and her peers participated in a beach cleanup—a tangible demonstration of their dedication to sustainable practices.

Reflecting on her enriching experience, Tia expressed her gratitude, saying

The experience of attending the CCCU was unforgettable, and I would like to thank WOCCU, The Worldwide Foundation for Credit Union and The Caribbean Confederation for Credit Unions. Special thanks to Ari Farrell, WYCUP Programme Manager and Denise Garfield, General Manager of CCCU for making this incredible opportunity possible.

Tia Warbrick’s journey to St Kitts not only enriched her personally and professionally but also reinforced our dedication to cooperative principles and global collaboration. Discussing the conference Kathryn Fogg, Northern Community Bank CEO, said

Northern Community Bank is very proud that Tia was selected to represent the UK credit union movement at the 2024 Caribbean Confederation for Credit Unions conference. To win the WYCUP scholarship to travel to and participate at the conference, which is open to over 240 credit unions across England, Scotland and Wales is a testament to Tia’s contribution to improving the lives of Northern Community Bank’s members through not-for-profit financial services. It also recognises Tia’s position as one the of sector’s most promising future leaders