Gwynedd’s Child Poverty Pilot Project

There are three elements of the project:-

1. Promote and develop young people’s financial literacy skills through the curriculum
2. Establish and maintain a Savings Scheme in partnership with the Credit Union
3. Establish a Community Information Forum – including an information kiosk, debt helpline and a Multi-agency  
    Information Forum

Promote and develop young people’s financial literacy skills through the curriculum

 

 

 

 

 

 
  • A vital element of the plan is to promote and develop the financial literacy skills of young people through the curriculum through Personal and Social Education lessons and Mathematical lessons in the school
  • The school aims in Spring 2009 to create a DVD film showing sketches or a short drama made by the pupils, based on child poverty issues.  They are also aiming to create a booklet or CD to show what they have learnt through their financial literacy sessions such as “what is A.P.R”, and the difference between the costs of a mobile phone contract and the costs of a “pay-as-you-go” mobile phone.

Establish and maintain a Savings Scheme in partnership with the Credit Union

  • The aim of the plan is to actively promote to the children that even saving a very small amount each week is acceptable – it’s the actual saving practice which is important, not the amount.  This will encourage them to save in the future as adults, which will undoubtedly hinder any poverty in their lives
  • Savings Plan was launched on Monday 15th September, 2008 during the Schools’ Assembly

Pupils using the savings scheme

 

 

 

 

 

 
  • 2 School Staff and up to 8 pupils from Year 10 have been trained by the Credit Union Officer to manage the Savings Plan – the money is collected once a week on a Friday morning
  • Potentially 200 pupils could be part of the saving scheme, and if successful, the Credit Union will promote and implement this scheme in other secondary schools within Gwynedd.  At this current time, 40 pupils are part of the Savings scheme.

Establish a Community Information Forum – including an information kiosk, debt helpline and a Multi-agency Information Forum

  • The aim of the community and information element is to bring agencies together as a Forum to meet and share information to the community of Blaenau Ffestiniog, on matters that are associated with increasing income, maximising benefits and returning to work/education.
  • The Forum has created a community information booklet and this will be launched during February 2009 half-term, at a time when many families will need more support, after the costs of Christmas.
  • Many agencies and supporting networks that work in the community have expressed their interest in being members of the Forum, namely:-

Genesis 2 Project, various departments of Gwynedd Council, Credit Union, Wales Co-Op, Careers Wales, Citizens Advice Bureau, Working Links, Jobcentre Plus, Cymdeithas Tai Eryri, Barnados, Tan-y-Maen Centre, Young People’s Information Shop for South Gwynedd and the local Communites First Office.

Information leaflet   As part of the partnership working, Citizens Advice Bureau have also set up a new  
   debt helpline in Blaenau Ffestiniog and a touch-screen facility, which offers 
   information on debt and consumer issues.

   The information booklet and the designated debt helpline is seen as a direct output  
   of the joint-working, in order to help children, young people and their families step 
   out of the poverty chain, which has hindered generations in the past.  

 

Strict monitoring procedures are in place to monitor the success of the project and it is hoped, that the model for the School Savings plan will be implemented in other Secondary schools within Gwynedd during the next 24 months.

For more information and updates please contact Ms Eirian Wynne, Children and Young People’s Partnership Officer, Policy and Performance Unit, Gwynedd Council, Council Offices, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 1SH

Email: EirianWynne@gwynedd.gov.uk
Phone: 01286 677 878