Money Mentors

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The Story of Money Mentors

In response to the economic crisis, members of London Citizens – the UK’s largest and most diverse community alliance with over 150 members including schools, colleges, universities, faith groups, community groups and trade unions – developed a 5 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 25th November, 2009. One of the five points on the agenda was a commitment to ensure our young people were supported to become confident and capable in managing money. Six months later this commitment evolved into Money Mentors, London Citizens’ dynamic and unique approach to building financial literacy in our schools and communities across London.

“Mission: Money Mentors”

The first phase of the programme was ‘Mission: Money Mentors’ – a dynamic, peer-to-peer financial literacy experience for schools. In July 2010, 30 university undergraduates spent one month teaching year 10 and year 12 secondary students in 16 schools across London. Over 3000 students were trained to themselves become ‘money mentors’ – mastering concepts and skills around credit, debt, budgeting and consumer choices – with their day’s training culminating in community ‘money masterclasses’ that enabled the young people to pass on their own learning to parents, carers and families.

The next phase of Money Mentors aims to deepen and extend our peer financial education model through our communities by recruiting, educating and training community leaders as ‘trusted intermediaries’, who deliver Money Mentor training to their own school, university or faith community. This is the Money Mentors Academy.

Want to be a Money Mentor?

Click here to see how you can join the Money Mentors Academy.

www.citizensuk.org/moneymentors