Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) has joined forces with Barclays to create ten young money champions with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and their friends manage money effectively.
 
Young people from YHN’s Youth Voice project have been trained to become Barclays Money Skills Champions – a nationwide initiative which equips young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to improve their money management skills and pass this information onto their peer group.
 
The young people from Youth Voice took part in a training weekend where they learned about topics such as opening a bank account, budgeting, saving and spending, and got practical guidance on what to do when something goes wrong.
 
They are now being encouraged to pass on their newfound skills and knowledge to friends and peers, enabling the programme to touch the lives of some of the hardest-to-reach young people in the city.
 
Wendy Wallace, Operational Manager of Youth Voice said “Young people often struggle to manage their money and many 16 to 18 year olds rely on friends for financial advice so this project is a fantastic idea. We hope that developing the financial capability of these young people will increase their confidence, as well as helping those they share the skills and information with.”
 
One of the young people most looking forward to benefitting from the project is Michael Williamson. Michael moved into his own home after leaving foster care but struggled to keep on top of his rent; he tried to manage on his own without seeking help but fell behind and now lives in a Salvation Army hostel.
 
Michael said: “I have been trying to get back on my feet for a while now, I take all of the courses I can through the job centre and have been doing some volunteer work to increase my skills. Being involved in Youth Voice is really helping me to make positive changes and learning more about how to manage my money better has been so useful.
 
“But, more than that, I hope I can use the knowledge l got from Barclays and Your Homes Newcastle to help other young people and stop them from making the same mistakes I did.”
 
For more information contact Youth Voice on 0191 277 1145.

Photo caption

Youth Voice money skills champions: l-r: Sophie Bills, 21; Kris Bills, 24; Michael Williamson, 22; Tonie Edwards, 22 and Dave Hart, 20.