A NEW bank which specialises in helping charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises has moved into York.

Charity Bank In The North, which empowers organisations throughout Yorkshire to become entrepreneurial in their outlook, has become the first tenant to move into St Clements Hall, York’s own community-managed centre.

Azlina Bulmer, the bank’s programme manager, who lives in York, will be in charge of its three-person team.

She said: “We are excited to be relocating our northern offices to St Clements Hall. We are ourselves a charity, and to be working from a community-managed centre fits the bill perfectly. York is vibrant and culturally rich city so we are excited by our new surroundings.”

Since its founding in 2007, Charity Bank In The North has been working to assist charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises in the Yorkshire and Humber region to become more sustainable.

The team has helped about 900 organisations across the region through a series of workshops, looking at financial sustainability issues. It has awarded loans and grants of almost £13.5 million in the region, and rolled out of an investment readiness programme.

With more demands expected from the charities and voluntary sector, Ms Bulmer is confident it will continue to grow and provide vital financial and business support for the sector. She said: “The team is enabling charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations to carry on their work, offering vital services to the most vulnerable people in the region, and creating jobs and income for communities.”