What was the project all about?
In 2009, the economic climate was having a huge impact on the lives and futures of young people. In those challenging times both YouthNet and Barclays realised that we had an extra responsibility to provide specific financial information and guidance to young people at a time when they needed it most.
By working in partnership, Barclays and YouthNet aimed to address the most pressing issues facing young people during the recession and prepare them for a positive future for when the economic situation improved. The project involved updating TheSite.org’s Money section including the existing information on finance and related issues (such as housing, relationships and mental health) and making sure that it realistically reflects young people’s current needs. In addition, vital new information was added to TheSite.org, creating a resource where young people could find all the advice and support they needed at that difficult time.
All of the improvements were developed in consultation with young people through user groups and TheSite.org’s discussion boards, ensuring that young people were at the heart of the project.
Partnership achievements
Thanks to a generous grant of £60,500 from Barclays, all of TheSite.org’s information surrounding money issues was audited and reviewed over the course of 2010. In addition, essential new content was created, in order to meet the changing needs of young people in the UK today. In each month of the project, an estimated 26,499 people benefitted from this resource and received the information they needed to make informed choices regarding their finances.
Michelle Smith, Head of Consumer and Community Affairs, Barclays said:
“Our funding in the community is now focused on creating a more financially inclusive society through education and financial awareness, predominantly amongst young people, which is particularly important in today’s economic climate. Through our partnership with YouthNet, we aim to empower more than 100,000 young individuals in building a better and more secure financial future.”
Fiona Dawe, YouthNet’s Chief Executive said:
“It’s fantastic that Barclays Money Skills has recognised the pressing nature to respond to young people’s financial concerns, and worries related to money, and that we can work together to arm young people with the most up-to-date facts to make informed choices.”
