Volunteers' Week: Meet Derek Lynn, Volunteer Director at Evolve Credit Union

As part of Volunteers' Week, we're celebrating the people who generously give their time, skills and experience to help shape Evolve Credit Union and support the communities we serve.

One of those people is Derek Lynn, a Volunteer Director who has been involved with the Credit Union for almost nine years.

From Retirement to Giving Back

After a long career in finance, business development and corporate advisory work, Derek wasn't ready to slow down when retirement arrived.

Instead, he wanted to find a way to continue using his experience while giving something back to the local community.

"I wanted to keep the brain cells working," Derek explains. "Retirement wasn't about sitting in a chair all day. I wanted to do something for the community and make good use of the experience I'd built up over my career."

A conversation with former colleagues eventually led Derek to Ballymena Credit Union, where he attended his first board meeting in 2017. What started as an opportunity to stay active soon became a long-term commitment to supporting the Credit Union movement.

Helping Guide Growth and Change

During his time as a volunteer, Derek has served in several roles, including seven years as Treasurer before moving into his current position as a Volunteer Director.

Looking back, one of the biggest changes he has witnessed has been the growth of the organisation.

"When I joined, the Credit Union had around £30 million in assets. Today, we're a significantly larger organisation serving members across Ballymena, Antrim, Randalstown and the Causeway Coast."

The growth of Evolve Credit Union has brought many opportunities, but also challenges, including mergers, expansion into new communities and bringing together different teams and cultures under one organisation.

"It's been a significant journey. Bringing together different offices, different communities and different ways of working takes time, but it's something the organisation has embraced."

Staying True to the Credit Union Ethos

While much has changed, Derek believes the core purpose of the Credit Union has remained the same.

"The ethos has always been strong. Everything comes back to serving members and supporting local people."

As a Volunteer Director, Derek plays an important role in helping ensure the Credit Union remains financially strong, well-governed and focused on its long-term sustainability while continuing to put members first.

"It's about finding the right balance. We want to deliver excellent service for members while also protecting the reputation and future of the organisation."

Why Volunteering Still Matters

Derek believes volunteering continues to play an important role within credit unions and communities alike.

For him, volunteering is about commitment, purpose and contributing something positive.

"I've enjoyed adding value and feeling valued. It's rewarding to know that the experience you've gained throughout your career can still make a difference."

He also believes there is an opportunity to encourage more people, particularly younger generations, to learn about credit unions, financial wellbeing and the benefits of getting involved in their local community.

"Credit unions have an important role to play in helping people understand money management and financial wellbeing from an early age. There's a real opportunity to engage more with young people and schools in the years ahead."

Looking to the Future

Reflecting on Evolve Credit Union today, Derek says he is proud of how far the organisation has come.

From its roots as Ballymena Credit Union to the modern organisation serving four communities today, he has seen first-hand the dedication of staff, volunteers and members who have helped shape its success.

"The organisation has grown enormously, but the commitment to helping local people remains as strong as ever."

As we celebrate Volunteers' Week, we would like to thank Derek and all of our volunteer Directors, Supervisory Committee members and volunteers who continue to support Evolve Credit Union.

Their dedication helps ensure that Evolve Credit Union remains a trusted financial partner for more than 34,000 members across Ballymena, Antrim, Randalstown and the Causeway Coast.

Interested in learning more about Evolve Credit Union or volunteering opportunities in the future? Visit your local branch or explore our website to find out more.