change:matters is our programme educating and upskilling young carers across the UK on the topic of money and family finances. Watch the video above and read on for more information about the project – including access to artwork produced by our participants.
change:matters is funded by The Chartered Accountants’ Livery Charity
the project
change:matters upskills young carers about money and family finances. We designed the programme to address the pressing need for financial education using a creative and engaging approach. The young carers learn about finances through artistic media such as music, photography, radio drama and graphic novel. Financial topics covered include saving, budgeting, needs versus wants, cost-effective shopping and planning for the future.
“The workshops have helped me learn the value of money. When you’re growing up, you don’t realise how much or how little money you have, or how it works in the real world.”
YOUNG CARER
We have been working with young carers since 2007, delivering impactful creative financial literacy programmes (in schools and prisons) since 2010. This initiative combines this experience. By employing the creative arts, change:matters also offers an interactive, fun, creative way to enable young carers to develop social skills, confidence and resilience, nurturing their wellbeing.
Our Youth Ambassador, young carer Abi (15) produced the short film above to explain more about the programme and its benefits.
“I DON’T OFTEN GET TO MEET AND WORK WITH OTHER YOUNG CARERS SO THIS WAS NICE. I THINK PROJECTS LIKE THIS ARE GOOD TO HELP LOSE SOME STRESS.”
YOUNG CARER
THE NEED
There are an estimated 800,000 young carers in the UK. A young carer is someone under 18 who helps look after a family member – or friend – who is ill, disabled, has a mental health condition or misuses drugs or alcohol.
Following a survey of 1,400 young carers in 2016, The Children’s Society reported that young carers would like more information on budgeting their finances, managing their money.
Young carers said that the practical responsibilities of managing the family’s finances often fall to them, including: going to the bank; paying bills; shopping around to reduce food bills; and taking on a job to supplement the family income.
With 17% of young carers aged 16-17 helping with financial matters in the home, it’s important to equip them with the information they need to feel prepared for these challenges.
our impact
0%
OF PARTICIPANTS IMPROVED THEIR FINANCIAL LITERACY SKILLS
0%
OF PARTICIPANTS DEVELOPED THEIR ARTFORM SKILLS
