Beacon is more than a credit union, it’s a community anchor. Based in Halton, supporting all of Halton, and WA postcodes in Merseyside they help local people save, borrow responsibly and access financial support when they need it most.
Owned by members, every decision is made with fairness, trust and care. Their purpose goes beyond money: they exist to build resilience and pride in the communities they serve.
Beacon recognised that their impact went deeper than products and services. They wanted to show how community spirit, kindness and togetherness underpin everything they do.
But how do you bring those intangible qualities to life in a way that feels real and inspiring?
The challenge was to create a platform that wasn’t about corporate messaging but about people. A space where stories could be shared, voices could be heard and members could see themselves reflected in the credit union they own.
We knew the best way to tell Beacon’s story was through the people who live it every day. Rather than creating a polished, scripted piece, we wanted the video to feel like a genuine conversation within the community, warm, authentic, and relatable.
To bring this to life, we invited five long-standing members and the Beacon staff team to share their experiences on video. The aim was simple: discover what Beacon means to them and how it has supported them over the years.
Each person brought a unique perspective some spoke about how Beacon had helped them save for important life moments, others reflected on the guidance and reassurance the cooperative provides, while staff shared their pride in being part of a member-owned organisation that genuinely cares.
The filming style was intentionally relaxed and conversational. We avoided rigid scripts or staged setups, encouraging members and the staff to speak freely, with pauses, laughter, emotional and natural interaction. This approach allowed human moments to shine through, small gestures, shared memories from long standing members, and expressions of community pride that would have been lost in a more traditional corporate video.
Once filming was complete, we edited the video to highlight each person’s story, letting their experiences drive the narrative. Short clips were created for social media to increase engagement, while the full video became the centrepiece of the “What Makes a Community” page, showing Beacon’s values through real member and staff voices.
The approach centred on collaboration and giving members and staff a platform to share their experiences. The result was a video that genuinely reflects Beacon’s role in the community, highlights real stories of support and connection, and celebrates the people who make the credit union a trusted local presence.
The community video quickly became a focal point for engagement, showing the power of authentic storytelling. By centring the voices of members and staff, Beacon highlighted its impact in a way that felt relatable and inspiring.
The video strengthened trust and connection. Members could see themselves reflected in Beacon’s story, and potential new members were able to understand the cooperative’s values through authentic lived experiences.
By giving members and staff the space and platform, Beacon showed that its strength lies in its people the heart of a community that cares, supports, and grows together.
This simple, heartfelt approach not only celebrated those voices but also reinforced Beacon’s position as a trusted, member-first credit union, inspiring loyalty and engagement that will continue well beyond the initial campaign.
Gareth Heesom, CEO of Beacons Savings and Loans
Bring your members’ voices to the forefront and showcase the real impact of your organisation.
