Young people from Ayr get to grips with their finances through money management course

Young people from Action for Children Scotland's Intensive Supervised Structured Care (ISSC) service in Ayr have been getting to grips with their personal finances and celebrating their successful completion of an innovative money management course.

ISSC Ayrshire offers supported accommodation for five vulnerable young people at a time who have been excluded, either from the education system or society. Staff at the service work on an individual level to offer support and advice on developing life skills, ensuring each person is provided with educational and work opportunities to increase their future prospects. As part of this, the project aims to improve the young people's financial capability through the Barclays Money Skills programme.

Action for Children is working in partnership with Barclays to deliver the Barclays Money Skills programme to young people who may be struggling to manage their finances. They are provided with the tools and support needed to improve their money management skills and gain a better understanding of financial matters, covering topics such as budgeting, managing bank accounts, and credit and debit.

Elizabeth McIntyre, children's services manager at ISSC Ayrshire, said: "Managing personal finances has become increasingly more complex and it is easy for young people to make mistakes that have a huge impact later in their lives.

"Since starting the Barclays Money Skills programme, a number of the service's young people have begun to change the way they think and feel about money and have gained such confidence in their abilities, which is fantastic to see!"

Rachel Herbinson, community business partner for Barclays in Scotland and the North West, said: "It's essential that young people have the opportunity to build their financial skills and confidence.

"Many of the young people that Action for Children supports face a particularly challenging set of circumstances, and need practical financial advice to help them manage their money effectively. We are working together to make a very real and sustainable difference to the lives of young people in Ayr and the surrounding areas."

This year, Action for Children projects will reach more than 2,500 of the UK's most vulnerable young people aged 16-25 through Barclays Money Skills sessions, including young parents and young carers, those in youth clubs and training centres, and to help young people leaving care prepare to manage their own tenancy for the first time.

For more information on ISSC Ayrshire or the Barclays Money Skills programme, contact Elizabeth McIntyre on 01292 288 940 or visit www.barclaysmoneyskills.com