Bite Size Money Skills

60 Minute Group Sessions

Aimed at those struggling to make ends meetSuitable for delivery in a community or

workplace setting

Bite Size Money Skills

60 Minute Group Sessions

Aimed at those struggling to make ends meetSuitable for delivery in a community or

workplace setting

Bite Size Money Skills

60 Minute Group Sessions

Aimed at those struggling to make ends meetSuitable for delivery in a community or

workplace setting

Why Money Skills Training is Important

Bite Size Community Money Skills Sessions

Acquiring money management know-how is an important life skill, a lack of basic money skills can result in poor financial decision making tipping individuals and families into debt crisis and unnecessary hard-ship. The ability to make informed choices, shop around and plan future spending is critical to staying up to date with priorities such as rent, mortgage and council tax payments.

With the onset of welfare reforms, stagnant pay, energy bill hikes, the increase of ‘in-work’ poverty and rising cost of living, family budgets are under siege and community facing organisations need to embrace preventative financial capability programmes in their work.

Our sessions are written by experienced money advisers/trainers thus session con-tent will reflect some of the most important issues facing low income families at the moment from ‘bedroom tax’ to ‘budgeting’. On average those attending sessions can be up to £20 per week better off if they take action. We are able to offer these sessions delivered by experienced trainers on-site, alternatively we are always keen to hear from organisations interested in a collaborative or partnership approach to delivery. These short group sessions can also be set alongside money advice ‘drop-ins’ – which we can also provide for minimal cost.

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Why choose Pennysmart CIC?

One of the first social enterprises in the UK dedicated to providing money skills to adults in a workplace or community setting, at the forefront of financial capability movement with vast experience of engagement and delivery. Set up in 2009 one of our aims is to promote financial capability and awareness to those in financial hardship or difficul-ties. We help people take control of their finances and gain confidence and knowledge when managing their money or making decisions.

Context

Written by experienced money advisers, in the context of a climate of austerity and welfare reform, these Bite Size sessions are fun, interactive and informative. Often we can guarantee attendees will be better off financially if they take up the advice offered in the sessions, sometimes as much as £1000 improvement in disposable income can be achieved.

What’s included

Pennysmart provides: - professional trainer, all IT equipment, slideshow, learner hand-books, hand outs, evaluation and outcome reporting.

Host provides:- venue, learners, marketing, and any refreshments

Prices

Sessions for groups of up to 20; Prices as low as £7.50 per attendee, contact us for a written quotation –enquiries@pennysmart.org.uk

Ideas for delivery

We find Bite Size sessions work best when delivered to established groups.

Often enhanced when delivered with amoney advice drop-in afterwards to deal with individual queries that emerge during the session, or to assist the learners to imple-ment what they have learnt.

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Bite Size 1 – ‘Making the Most of Your Money’

A simple overview of budgeting, saving, banking and borrowing, to give the learners a taster of what an important role money plays in all of our lives.

Bite Size 2 – ‘Budgeting & Staying on Track’

Before you can begin to control your money and make plans you need to write it all down. This session looks at how to compile a budget, prioritise spending, maximise income and stay on track.

Bite Size 3 – ‘Check your Benefits’

Welfare benefits are a minefield, especially since the welfare reforms have begun – and yet more to come. This session covers the main types of benefits, where to access them, how to get a personal WB check done and where to go if things go wrong.

“As a result of attending the workshop today I will be more aware of spending money and much more aware of my energy bills”L.H – Llandudno

Bite Size 4 ’Setting up Home & Paying Bills’

Aimed at those setting up home and living independently for the first time. New tenants can be vulnerable to poor decision making, there are so many things to deal with. Takes learners through priorities and non-priorities, needs and wants, organising bills and finding resources to furnish their homes.

Bite Size 5 – ‘Utility Best Deals’

With more energy bill rises due this winter, we all need to know how to get the cheapest deals. There is also a lot of extra help for low income families for energy and water bills. This is an upbeat session on paying less and can guarantee better off outcomes for all who attend.

“A very good source of information, very well put across”

P.H. Saltney, Flints

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Bite Size 6 – ‘Avoid the Loan Sharks’

From APR’s to doorstep loans – not all credit is bad, but the ability to spot a good deal is critical. Different types of credit, how to compare, pros and cons and where to go for help when you need it.

Bite Size 7 – ‘Saving for Xmas’

A good session for after the ‘festive splurge’, this workshop puts forward the benefits of saving a little each week for Xmas, different ways to save and how to recognise a good savings account for you.

Bite Size 8 – ‘Best Bank Accounts’

There have never been so many bank accounts to choose from, yet still thousands of financially vulnerable remain unbanked, despite pressure to have WB paid directly into a bank account. This session looks at the benefits of a bank account, how to choose and open one and how to make sure it works for you.

Bite Size 9 – ‘Dealing with Debt’

A look at the main causes of debt, priority and non-priority debts and consequences of non-payment, how to deal with creditors and where to access free, impartial debt advice.

Bite Size 10 – ‘Saving Money on the Internet’

From banking online, cash back sites and comparison websites, we can all be better off using the internet to buy stuff. But it’s also important to stay safe online. This short ses-sion gives an overview of the main money saving websites, and how to protect your finances online.

“A very good speaker lets you know clearly what to do”

J.B. Chester

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Bite Size 11 – ‘PC & Internet for £99 or Less’

Soon benefits will be ‘digital by default’, but the biggest barrier to getting online for most is the cost. Many are unable to access the moneysaving advantages of online access because they can’t afford to buy the hardware. This session shows learners how to access cheap, af-fordable hardware, cheapest broadband deals, charitable grants, sponsored schemes and or affordable loans getting a PC & internet access for less than £99 can easily be achieved.

Bite Size 12 – ‘Managing your Bank Account & Paying Bills’

With the impending arrival of Universal Credit and payments of benefits directly into the bank, mainstream banking industry slow to offer ‘jam jar’ type accounts, running a second or ‘bills only’ account is a viable alternative. This session looks at setting up and running a dedicated bills only account.

Bite Size 13 – ‘Moving from Weekly to Monthly Pay’

With the introduction of Universal Credit in 2013, many will struggle budgeting ‘monthly in arrears’. This 1 hour workshop addresses the issues of moving from weekly to monthly budgeting and eases learners through the transition phase.

“Speaker very clear and informative, very easy to understand” Anon Flints

Bite Size 14 – ‘Coping with the Bedroom Tax’

From April 2013 many social housing tenants will fall foul of the new ‘under occupancy rules’ for HB entitlement. Identified as not needing their spare rooms, social housing ten-ants may be subject to HB shortfalls as a result. This 1 hour community session covers a number of strategies to help those affected find financial support.

Bite Size 15 – ‘Managing your Money into Work”

For many, entering the workplace can present a myriad of financial challenges, working a month in hand, understanding tax codes, national insurance and wage slips, workplace pensions and ‘run-on’ benefits. This session gives learners a quick, fun and easy overview of what to expect once they move into work.

‘9 out of 10 attending Bite Size Sessions feel more confident dealing with money mattersafterwards’Pennysmart.

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Other Services

Training for Frontline Staff & Volunteers

Money, Debt & Benefits Advice Services

Consultancy, Writing & Technical Editing

Aimed at frontline workers/volunteers looking to help others to manage their money. Those for whom money management is not a primary focus yet need to support clients with money related issues. Frontline workers, often first to identify those struggling financially, in a unique position to provide practical support at point of need.

‘Money Debt & Benefits Advice Signposting’ etc. delivered successfully to a variety of organisations - housing associations, credit unions, women’s and homeless charities, local councils, and community groups. See website for details –www.pennysmart.org.uk.

Experienced, specialist money, debt & benefits advisers for your service users. In a va-riety of delivery formats including home visits, Skype, telephone drop-ins. Often more cost effective than bringing money advice in-house, with the added confidentiality and impartiality valued by clients under extreme stress. We provide impartial, client cen-tred service guaranteed, helping to cope with spikes in demand without the associ-ated risks and costs. We are DRO intermediaries and all advisers have or are working towards IMA certification. We also have the capacity to provide extensive, tailored outcome reporting to meet the needs of funders. See website for details – www.pennysmart.org.uk

From time to time our expertise is called upon to write/proof courses, factsheets, web-site content, books; articles etc. or provide specialist financial capability consultancy services. If you have a project in mind contact us for a free quotation –www.pennysmart.org.uk

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Request a quote and receive a free training needs analysis. PLEASE COMPLETE IN BLOCK CAPITALS

Organisation Details:

Name of organisation:

Contact Name: Tel: Email:

Address:

Location of Proposed Delivery

No. of Learners:

Any special requirements for learners?

Which Bite Size Topics?

Number of sessions required?

Money advice drop-in to follow on?

Please return to: Training Dept. Pennysmart CIC Unit 61 The Business Centre, Minerva Ave, Chester West Employment Park, Chester. CH1 4QL.Or email details to enquiries@pennysmart.org.ukTel: 0845 459 9055Fax: 0872 111 3130 VAT Reg: 170 4850 15

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