Their ability to address day-to-day financial challenges and access services that could help them improve their financial stability is further hindered by limited literacy and numeracy skills. As a result, they are at greater risk of financial exclusion, debt, and hardship without targeted guidance and support.

The primary purpose of the grant is to deliver comprehensive money management support, including guidance on avoiding debt, strengthening financial capability, living within one’s means, and maximising income through access to appropriate benefits and employment opportunities.

The overall aim of the project is to achieve a direct and lasting improvement in the financial capability of Congolese community members, including refugees and asylum seekers, by equipping them with the knowledge, confidence, and practical financial life skills needed to achieve long-term stability and independence.

In turn, the trained volunteers will deliver tailored financial capability support to the wider community through workshops and drop-in sessions, ensuring that community members receive accessible, culturally appropriate, and practical money management guidance.

We will organise twenty five structured workshops (each lasting six hours), alongside ongoing drop-in sessions to provide continuous support and practical guidance.

1) Debt Awareness and Prevention (Ten Workshops)
In two workshops, we will train and equip our volunteers with a clear understanding of the causes and consequences of debt. They will learn how high-interest borrowing, missed payments, and poor credit management can negatively affect financial stability and overall wellbeing. We will explain how interest charges significantly increase the total cost of borrowing and how a poor credit rating can limit access to affordable credit, housing, and even employment opportunities where credit checks are required. Volunteers will be prepared to pass this knowledge on to the wider community in a clear and practical way.

2) Bank Account Management and Savings (Six Workshop)
One workshop will focus on developing practical banking skills. Volunteers will learn how to check bank accounts online, monitor transactions, manage direct debits, and track spending to avoid overdrafts and unnecessary penalty fees. We will also emphasise the importance of budgeting, planning ahead for regular expenses, and opening savings accounts to build financial resilience and earn interest over time.

3) Managing Major Expenses and Income Maximisation (Nine Workshop)
In the final workshop, volunteers will be trained on strategies to reduce capital and household expenditure. This will include guidance on making cost-effective purchasing decisions, such as buying reliable second-hand household appliances or vehicles instead of new ones where appropriate. Additionally, we will highlight the importance of maintaining good performance at work, developing skills, and seeking progression opportunities to enhance job security, increase promotion prospects, and ultimately maximise income.

Through these workshops and ongoing drop-in sessions, volunteers will be well prepared to provide informed, practical, and culturally sensitive financial capability support to the community.