Earlier this year, we launched Liverpool City Region wide project, Better Off Finance. The initiative supports individuals in managing their money better, gaining new skills and seeking employment and education opportunities.
We love sharing success stories and recognising how the project is truly changing lives within Liverpool City Region. Now, we want to tell you Andrew's story!
20 year old Andrew lives at home with his father. After leaving school with little qualifications, he eventually dropped out of college after suffering from anxiety.
Andrew had been volunteering at Citizens Advice Wirral for just over a year when asked if he would like to get support from Better Off Finance. Andrew’s mission was to improve his financial capabilities and his overall confidence. He also wanted support in seeking sustainable employment.
What Andrew liked most about Better Off Finance was that the sessions were done within a group setting – he found it useful to be around other people, listening and learning from the experiences of others and tackling common problems together. Andrew, who is exceptional on computers, then became someone who would mentor his fellow participants on Better Off Finance.
After attending several sessions with Karen Bellion from the WEA, Andrew described feeling “much more confident” within himself and decided to apply for an Apprenticeship that Citizens Advice Wirral were offering.
Andrew was shortlisted for the role and attended an interview and was offered the role as support officer/IT, full time. Reflecting on his journey, Andrew explained that had he not have received the support, he would have not even applied for the role.
Now, Andrew says: “I have started my first job, partly due to the confidence I have gained from the course. I feel much more confident with the financial side of the job after being on this project”.
A big thank you to Andrew for sharing his story!
About us:
Better Off Finance is offering residents of the Liverpool City Region who are currently unemployed (although don't have to be claiming benefits), a bespoke programme of support. This support will be provided at a local community venue or at home if a participant prefers.
Each participant will be linked up with their own key worker who will support them to:
- Improve their financial capability through 1-2-1 support and group work
- Access employability sessions within the programme
- Access a Level 2 Accredited ‘Money Mentor’ opportunity
- Progress into training and education opportunities
- Prepare and progress into sustainable employment.
Better Off Finance is a program jointly funded by The Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative
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