A financial education programme developed by Carmarthenshire County Council is being showcased at a national Trading Standards conference next week.
Money Wise (Synnwyr Arian) is a web-based resource designed by the council’s Trading Standards team and education department to help people, in particular children and young families, to understand the concept of money – where it comes from and how to save and spend wisely.
A small team of officers are attending the Chartered Trading Standards Institute conference to market the programme and spread the word about the proactive work being undertaken in Carmarthenshire to help protect people from financial problems.
If other authorities are interested in rolling the programme out in their areas, it could generate income for Carmarthenshire which would be invested to develop more innovative schemes.
Cllr Jim Jones, Executive Board Member for Public Protection, said: “This is a great opportunity to show Trading Standards professionals from across the UK the kind of proactive work we are doing here in Carmarthenshire.
“It is the first time Carmarthenshire County Council has exhibited in this national conference, and we hope this will be the springboard for future developments.”
Money Wise covers a number of themes including budgeting and spending wisely – realising the difference between wants and needs; borrowing money and the associated risks; employment and education – earning money, paying Income Tax and understanding wages and payslips; and consumer rights.
The website is currently available to primary schools in the county and is used to complement National Curriculum studies. Trials are also taking place in other community settings, including family centre and youth groups.
Thousands of children have already completed the programme, during its development and trial phase, and since its official launch at last summer’s National Eisteddfod in Llanelli.
Some of those, including pupils and staff at Ysgol Llechyfedach and Ysgol Maes Y Morfa, feature in a video which explains the programme.
For further information, email moneywise@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call Trading Standards Officer Heidi Neil on 01267 234567.
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