Community Work
Although Money Advice Group is a national company, helping thousands of people from all across the UK on a daily basis, we are proud of our North West roots and strive to be an integral part of our local community.
Giving back to our community is high on our list of priorities and along with our regular fundraising activities the entire Money Advice Group team is actively involved with the local community. From employing from within the local area and running school initiatives to instigating nationwide credit card amnesties and sponsoring local school football teams, Money Advice Group continuously strives to give back to the Greater Manchester region.
Here’s How Money Advice Group Gives Back:
Playground Tactics From Finance Expert
Stuart Parkin, founder and Money Advice Group, is driving forward an initiative to provide practical financial education to pupils, inline with the Government’s £11.5million My Money scheme.
The finance training got off to a start at Wellacre Technology College, Flixton, where Parkin was a former pupil, educating pupils on the various aspects of finances, from basic money management, including income and expenditure, to savings, different types of credit, mortgages, insurance and household bills.
Parkin commented: “At Money Advice Group we work on the premise that prevention is better than cure and by educating children at an early age we stand to reduce the UK’s level of personal debt in the future.
“As a father myself I not only want my children but all children to grow up with a clear understanding of finances, so that they can make educated decisions about money, and live their lives free from the burden of debt.”
“I have witnessed first hand the negative impact debt can have on people and as a result I am a real champion of educating children about finances, which is why I wanted to spearhead a local initiative to raise the profile of finance training in schools.“
Money Advice Group scoops Award for Excellence
Money Advice Group has received the Award for Excellence Employer Award, which honours businesses that have made a significant investment in young people in the region.
Manchester Chamber of Commerce’s Education Business Solutions (EBS) presented the leading debt management company with the accolade. The annual award recognises and honours companies who have invested time and effort throughout the academic year to enhance the skills, awareness and aspirations of young people in Manchester.
The company joined the EBS programme at the beginning of 2009 and as well as supporting young people in work roles, it has collaborated closely with Wellacre Technology College, Flixton – the high school attended by the company founder and MD, Stuart Parkin. Senior members of staff have been involved in practice interviews for Year 11 students and acted as judges for the school’s ‘Enterprise Challenge’ project, designed to introduce pupils to the concept of ‘enterprise’, and to develop their business skills.
Stuart Parkin says: “There is some great talent in the region and we have attracted some very promising young people who are thriving and developing during their time working for us.”
“Our work with Wellacre Technology College allows us to give something back to the local community and support the school which I attended. It is a fantastic experience to be working with the students, showing them what they can achieve in life, help prepare them for the world outside school, and possibly inspire them to start their own businesses one day too.”
“It is a real honour for us to be recognised as an investor in young people and we’ll take great pride in adding the trophy to our collection. I wish all the young people we have worked with good luck for the future and hope they have learned some key lessons with us in how to achieve business success and how hard work can really pay off in the end.”
EBS works to support and develop young people (14-19), raising their aspirations, and maximising their potential and employability through work experiences. Overall, approximately 13,500 young people in the region have benefited from the programme. Dave Hesk from the programme comments:
“We selected Money Advice Group for the Employer Award as it has taken an active role in developing and supporting young people this year, with the involvement with Wellacre Technology College, and by taking on and investing in young people within the company. It is a great example of a company that is prepared to invest time and effort in giving the young people of Manchester opportunities for the future.”
Best In Town
It’s official – Money Advice Group is one of the Best Places To Work in Manchester. The leading debt management company was presented with the award by Crain’s business newspaper.
The awards identify, recognise and honour Manchester companies that have created positive work environments, demonstrate best practices and that place employee satisfaction high on their priority list.
26 companies were short listed in total, from a list of over 100 applicants.
Employees voted and completed detailed questionnaires about working at the Carrington Business Park offices. The company was assessed on ten areas, including team and manager effectiveness, trust among co-workers and in senior leaders, job satisfaction, people practices and how valued members of staff feel. Employees rated the company particularly highly on trust in co-workers and in senior leaders and on how important staff feel their individual contribution to the company is. It also achieved great results on its alignment with its goals and staff retention.
One employee said: “The directors treat people as human beings rather than numbers. They reward well and recognise hard work.”
All feedback was independently assessed by external researchers at Quantum Workplace.
Mancunians Unite Against Debt With Credit Card Amnesty
As the total UK personal debt reached an eye watering £1.4 trillion in 2009, Money Advice Group took to the streets to urge the public to take stock of their finances and ditch the debt for good with a Credit Card Amnesty.
In a bold move to tackle debt head on, the Money Advice Group team instigated an amnesty, which saw shoppers out in Manchester join forces to cut up their credit cards en masse, making a united stance against spiralling debt. The aim was to encourage others to follow suit.
Lee Parkin from Money Advice Group said: “2009 was an exceptionally tough year with many people in fear of a financial meltdown. Our message with the Credit Card Amnesty was that although credit cards, overdrafts and loans are great commodities for those who can afford to repay them they are not a viable option when the economy takes a turn for the worse. With the financial struggle many faced it was time people took action and said no to debt.”
The average household shoulders £9,052 worth of debt – or £56,708 if you include mortgages. Unemployment surged to an 11 year high, with the number of people out of work growing from 140,000 to 1.82 million and job vacancies shrank as companies cut back on recruitment.
Parkin added: “We’re by no means against credit cards or borrowing, after all it’s lending that makes the economy go round. However, to see unemployment rise at a dramatic rate and personal debt reach eye watering figures it was time we took action and encourage people to say no to debt, for good.”
Whether it’s a credit card, overdraft or a small personal loan that you just haven’t managed to pay off yet, it’s time to tackle your finances head on and commit to ditching your debts for good.
Credits:
i.According to the charity, Credit Action
ii.Office for National Statistics (ONS)
iii.http://www.ifslearning.ac.uk/news/headlines_2007/teenage_attitudes.cfm
iv.http://www.raineronline.org/gen/Eighty_per_cent_of_young_people_in_debt_by_21.aspx
