Following the success of The Money House in London and Scotland, MyBnk is excited to launch its youth homelessness prevention programme in Birmingham’s Digbeth.
The 5 or 3-day course supports young people transitioning into independent living as well as those already living independently. The programme is packed with money management tips and tricks to help young people maintain their tenancies and avoid homelessness, covering topics like debt, banking and budgeting.
From London and Scotland to the Midlands
The Money House originally launched in London, with sites in four boroughs. In summer 2022, the project then expanded to Glasgow’s Hope Street before launching in Birmingham this September.
The Midlands has among the highest proportion of care leavers in the UK – 1/3 of whom lose their first home – along with high rates of youth unemployment. The Birmingham Money House will help improve life chances for 16-25 year olds in the region, with less than 2% of Money House graduates ever facing eviction.
Through interactive games and references to youth culture, our experienced trainers deliver relevant and engaging sessions that bring money to life in a simulated flat environment. We also promote the use of tablets for developing digital knowledge and skills, such as how to use comparison websites.
The Money House is funded by MyBnk and its supporters. There is no cost for a young person to join the course and they receive a qualification once they complete it, which can help with housing applications. A breakfast, hot lunch and period products are also provided onsite and travel costs are covered.
We recently met with Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, to discuss growing the project in the region.
Here’s what some young people had to say about The Money House Birmingham:
“The thing that surprised me about this course was the overwhelming topics, such as debt, being simplified into something a lot less scary and feeling more comfortable with how to deal with them in the future.”
“I enjoyed the comfortability – it’s not a pressured environment or strict, rather you’re able to relax whilst you’re learning.”
“In future I will be more careful when looking at finances – whether it be choosing financial products like investments or credit cards. Because I am familiar with them now, they won’t scare me.”
For more information, please contact TMHMidlands@mybnk.org. Thanks to our funders Berkeley Foundation, JP Morgan, SGN and The Quilter Foundation.
