22 June 2010
London CITIZENS to launch a pioneering peer-to-peer financial
education programme as part of its response to the economic
crisis
London CITIZENS will be celebrating the launch of its unique
peer-to-peer financial education programme, “Money Mentors”, on the
28 June, 2010 at the Guildhall, as part of its Citizens’ Response
to the Economic Crisis.
London CITIZENS is proud that “Money Mentors” is being sponsored
by the City of London Corporation, MoneySavingExpert.com, the
Calleva Foundation and the Consumer Financial Education Body. It is
developed in association with Credit Action, the IFS School of
Finance, PFEG and the Financial Inclusion Centre. Representatives
from all the above institutions will be present at the launch
event, hosted at the Livery Hall of the City of London
Corporation.
In response to the economic crisis, members of London CITIZENS –
the UK’s largest and most diverse community alliance - developed a
five point agenda to tackle the most pressing economic issues in
our communities. This was then ratified and launched by 2500
citizens at the Barbican on the 25 November, 2009. One of the items
on the agenda was a financial literacy programme for schools –
“Money Mentors”.
“Money Mentors” is thus a community led response to the economic
crisis. It has come from the recognition that we can and must play
an important part in teaching our own children and families how to
be more financially responsible.
The programme itself takes a unique approach to financial
literacy by pioneering a peer-education model, capitalising on
London CITIZENS’ diverse community alliance, including schools and
universities.
30 undergraduates spend a month teaching year 10 and year 12
secondary students in some of the most deprived boroughs of London.
Over 4000 students will be taught about money management and will
then in turn teach parents and members of their own community as
part of smaller “Money Masterclasses”.
The scheme has already generated a huge amount of interest from
schools with two or more schools vying over each available slot.
London CITIZENS will be expanding this year’s programme to educate
our member communities in churches, mosques and other community
organisations.
Mark Boleat, Deputy Chairman of the City of London Corporation's
Policy and Resources Committee, said:
"As the body which oversees the Square Mile - the heart of the
UK's financial services industry - the City of London Corporation
is delighted to co-fund this very exciting Money Mentors pilot. In
helping young people to make informed choices about money matters,
this unique programme fits with our longstanding commitment to
working with communities in neighbouring boroughs and wider
London."
Ends
Notes for editors:
The launch will take place from 6 – 7:30 pm at the Livery Hall,
City of London Corporation
About the City of London Corporation:
The City of London Corporation is a uniquely diverse organisation.
It supports and promotes the City – the business district at the
heart of London - as a world leader in international finance and
business services and provides local services and policing for
those working in, living in and visiting the Square Mile. It also
provides valued services to London and the nation. These include
the Barbican Centre and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama;
the Guildhall Library and Art Gallery and London Metropolitan
Archive; a range of education provision (including three City
Academies); five Thames bridges (including Tower Bridge and the
Millennium Bridge); the Central Criminal Court at Old Bailey; over
10,000 acres of open spaces (including Hampstead Heath and Epping
Forest), and three wholesale food markets. It is also London’s Port
Health Authority and runs the Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow.
It works in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on the
regeneration of surrounding areas and the City Bridge Trust, which
it oversees, donates more than £15m to charity annually.
For more information about Money Mentors or for tickets to the
event please contact: Sheilla Patel, mob. 07976079745, email.
Sheilla.Patel@londoncitizens.org.uk