MEET AMARI: “I WILL USE WHAT I’VE LEARNT WHEN I’M A BUSINESSMAN”
In a 2023 Carers Trust survey, 56% of young carers said that the cost-of-living crisis affects them and their family. With 17% of young carers aged 16-17 helping with financial matters in the home, financial education is more important than ever.
Recently, we ran our change:matters project in Enfield. change:matters is our project supporting young carers by enhancing their financial literacy using creative artforms. In partnership with Chickenshed, an inclusive theatre company, we ran drama workshops to explore the emotional impact that debt and poor money management can have.
Amari, a young carer from Enfield, attended the project and shared his experiences.
“I care for my brother and my mum. My mum has scoliosis and my brother has autism and Tourette’s. I think I was about five years old when I began my caring role, which involves making my brother and my mum meals. I spend all day caring, as I just do what I can to help out. My experiences are different to someone who doesn’t have caring responsibilities.
“During change:matters we learnt about money and budgeting. We did this through drama workshops with Create and Chickenshed. In the workshops we were learning about money by acting out what people being in debt felt like, and what happens when the bailiffs come.
“I learnt that what can really help for budgeting is a shopping list. There’s a current account, which is when you use [the account] every day. Then there’s a savings account. That’s where you put some money from your work, just in case you’re saving for something. Then there’s also a debit card that you use almost every day and a credit card that you use to pay back. I’ve learnt about budgeting. I also learnt about interest, which is when you can put money in the bank and get more a year later. I will definitely use what I have learnt because I would like to be a businessman when I’m older. I think it will help me to have a lot more money through budgeting and saving more.
“Spending time with other young carers made me feel great. I feel happy that I get to speak to other young people who are going through something similar to me. I found it really great and fun. I got to socialise and learn at the same time. I really enjoyed it, and wish I could do it again.”
change:matters in Enfield was funded by The Chartered Accountants’ Livery Charity.
