Me & Money programme

 

Since the cost-of-living crisis began there has been an emerging need to address the erosive impact financial insecurities have had on the mental health and wellbeing of young people. Crucial research has highlighted just how significant money matters are to their wellbeing. Recently, the Children’s Society’s annual Good Childhood Report found that money worries are now the top worry for young people, whilst the Prince’s Trust found that two-thirds of those aged between 16 to 24 have lowered their career aspirations; citing economic uncertainty, parents’ financial struggles, and concerns over their own mental wellbeing as the cause.

Whilst delivering our Young People’s Programmes across the UK, our Training Associates have seen an increasing number of young people experiencing negative emotions and stress in relation to money. In response to the rise in money anxiety we have developed a new pilot programme to directly meet the needs of young people.

Young people have told us:

"I’m not able to do things with my friends and find myself not wanting to see them because I feel I can’t afford it - makes me stay at home and isolate myself."

"Being worried about not having enough money stops me from doing things that I like and I often worry about what it will be like in the future."

"It can be difficult comparing myself to others who may have more money than me."

"Hearing about money worries/ problems at home can be stressful and sad and makes me want to help but I don’t know what I can do."

– Young people attending coproduction sessions

Following extensive research and coproduction sessions with young people throughout the development of the programme, we have created an engaging and empowering workshop and toolkit, exploring greater understanding of attitudes around money and how that can influence thoughts, emotions and behaviours.

Our three main objectives for the programme are to:

• Provide young people with an understanding of the interconnection between money and mental health.
• Empower young people by supporting them to understand how our attitudes towards money can influence our thoughts and behaviours.
• Equip young people with a suite of resilience-building skills and tools related to money which they can use to support themselves, now and in the future.

The programme will run initially as a pilot in select schools, colleges and community settings across the UK, with approximately 300 young people aged between 14 to 18 participating.

"Thanks to the insights and responses young people provided throughout the course of developing this programme, we have been able to achieve a deeper understanding of the complexities of their money concerns. Learning more about money on a practical level wasn’t as significant as their desire to understand how to meet the challenges and concerns they have about money both now and in the future.

We hope the programme will reduce the severity of the emerging mental health concerns facing young people and equip them throughout their lives when faced with financial uncertainty and anxiety."

– Enda Egan - Head of Young People’s Programmes

The programme has evolved in response to the lived experiences young people shared with us. Their insights and perspective led us to devise a behavioural model which breaks down the complexities between money and mental health, encouraging a positive, proactive and resilient approach. The ‘Money and Mental Health Wheel’ is a core concept in our interactive toolkit, and we’ve created a new animation illustrating the complex interplay between values, beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, and behaviours in relation to money.

 

 

Me & Money workshops will feature real life scenarios alongside individual and group activities, equipping young people with the knowledge and confidence to understand the influence money has on their wellbeing and mental health. Feedback thus far from young people highlights how empowering they found expressing their feelings about money concerns in a non-judgemental setting. They’re more appreciative of the interplay and influence money and mental health have on one another and crucially, feel confident and empowered to take control and reach out for support.

“It's opened my eyes to the fact that there are people out there to help you with any worries you have and that you don't have to face your struggles alone.”

– Young person

In the new year, following focus groups and paired depth interviews the programme will be extensively evaluated to ensure we are effectively meeting the needs of young people. Based on the outcome of this pilot, we will further develop the programme, as we remain firmly committed to evolving our response to the needs of young people in this critical aspect of their lives.

"We are delighted and grateful to have co-produced Me & Money with young people and look forward to their continued involvement in the pilot to help shape the programme to best meet their needs."

– Deidre Bowen - Director of National Programmes

If you’re interested in learning more about Me & Money, or would like to get involved get in touch with us:

[email protected] or [email protected]

Explore the impact these programmes have made download our latest impact report