Young people in Trowbridge are gaining vital financial life skills thanks to a grant from Selwood Housing, supporting the Moneywise project delivered by Community Safety Education CIC.
The funding has enabled the delivery of an extensive programme of financial literacy education at John of Gaunt School, reaching pupils aged 11 to 14. The project aims to help young people better understand money management, recognise financial risks, and build confidence to seek support when needed, particularly important for those more vulnerable to predatory lending, poor spending habits and gambling‑like mechanisms often found in online gaming.
Over the course of the project, more than 60 Moneywise sessions were delivered, engaging over 400 young people in interactive learning activities and discussions around financial decision‑making, online safety and the links between money and mental wellbeing.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive; a representative from the school said:
“The resources were plentiful and refreshing to our pupils and it was great to have everyone involved, discussing in pairs and groups and genuinely open to learning.”
The impact of the programme has been clearly demonstrated through learner surveys. Among a sample group of participants, there was a 94% increase in understanding across key topics including financial risk, online safety, gambling in gaming, and money‑related wellbeing. Encouragingly, 99% of young people surveyed reported feeling more confident to talk to family members, friends or teachers if they had concerns or needed advice about money.
As a lasting legacy of the project, the Moneywise hard‑copy resources will remain at John of Gaunt School, ensuring future cohorts of pupils continue to benefit from accessible and relatable financial education.
Community Safety Education CIC thanked Selwood Housing for their support, emphasising that the stronger communities fund grant has played a crucial role in helping young people develop positive financial habits that will support them for years to come.
Thanks to Selwood Housing’s investment, young people in Trowbridge have been given the tools, knowledge and confidence to make informed financial choices, an important step towards long‑term wellbeing and financial resilience.
