Savings Session
2 hours. Session works towards the AFCAF and learners should be able to:

identify things to save up for, give examples of reasons to save, describe two advantages of saving for large expense, describe the key features of different types of saving products, know that some savings products are protected and identify ways to make small savings.

Family Financial Capability
can include some home activity and joint activity between parent/carer/guardian and their child(ren) - (also includes some activities for children to do e.g. What can they do top save energy and money in the home?)

A series of weekly sessions or a choice of ad hoc one-off sessions to suit demand, budget and availability.
Basic Budgeting 1 = managing a family budget
Basic Budgeting 2 = saving energy, saving money (includes Energy Best Deal)
Planning a trip 1
Planning a trip 2 - Going on a trip
Bargain Hunting and sales
Rainy day 1 (includes Savings Session)
Rainy day 2 - concepts of 'value' and 'money'
Spotting the Scams

Prices of all courses on application

Music and art has helped young people from Northwich and Winsford learn how to manage their finances better.

Twenty-five Weaver Vale Housing Trust customers who have either just started their first tenancy or who are struggling to budget their money took part in a MoneyART course at St Chad's Church on Thursday, September 29.

MoneyART uses drama, poetry, story boards, rapping, music and graphic arts to teach money management skills including banking, borrowing, budgeting and debt advice.

Vernon Fuller, who runs the course, said: Learning about money management can be dry and boring but creativity can bring the subject to life. I tailor my courses to suit the needs of the group and can cater for groups of all ages and all sections of the community.

Vernon is a professional musician who has helped provide financial advice to people across the North West for over 15 years, working for the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and HM Treasury before setting up his latest MoneyART venture almost two years ago.

Activities during his session in Winsford included singing songs about money saving and producing artwork about the dangers of loan sharks.

Sue Hall, from Winsford, one of the Trust customers who took part, said: The course really helps you to pick up a lot of information because it gets you involved and makes you think rather than it just being someone talking to you.

It is really easy to think that money issues and problems like loan sharks don't concern you but then when money gets tight sometimes you feel like you have no other option. The MoneyART course shows you in a fun way that there are organisations out there who can help people in difficult financial situations.

Sabine Isaac, Money Management Officer for the Trust, who organised the session, said: When I first heard about Vernon's course I thought it would be a really different and interactive way for the Trust to get across some really important messages to customers.

The customers that took part seemed to enjoy getting involved with the activities and hopefully they will take away some handy hints and tips that will help them in the future.

Sabine and Sarah Chittenden, the Trust's Welfare Benefit Officer, help Trust customers with money and benefit issues, assisting them in applying for benefits, and offering support in accessing tariffs for gas and electric.

The Trust also helps customers with grant applications to other Trusts and Charities or referral to other sources of independent free advice like the Citizens Advice Bureau, National Debtline and the Consumer Credit Counselling Service.