One Housing Group’s Money Matters Service works with a number of financial service and advisory partners to deliver workshops, seminars and services to equip residents with improved financial awareness and skills.
Research showed that many OHG residents lack basic knowledge of personal finance, which can lead to financial problems and at worst can make them vulnerable to doorstep lenders.
Since Money Matters launched in 2007, 259 residents have attended the five week programme of workshops run in partnership with SAFE (Services Against Financial Inclusion), which aim to increase financial capability and promote financial inclusion amongst OHG residents. The workshops focus on helping residents understand mortgages, savings products, budgets and other key financial issues.
172 residents have also participated in 5-week debt advice seminars facilitated by local Credit Unions during the same period. These sessions provide information about a range of financial services; such as lending, insurance, basic bank accounts, money transfers, direct debits and standing orders.
Money Matters also targets young people in the aim of educating residents about their finances at an early age and thus helping them avoid problems later in life. 62 young people have attended six-weekly workshops in conjunction with Haverstock School and Change and Development, which covered topics such as setting up a bank account, budgeting and managing money, EMA's, (Education Maintenance Allowance), applying for and managing student loans, career development loans, student fees and credit cards.
If you are interested in finding our more or feel that you can offer financial support please contact Rasheeda Graham on 020 7428 4116 or email rgraham@onehousinggroup.co.uk