Quaker Social Action (QSA) continues to work in partnership with the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) to facilitate the Money Guiders England Network.
What is the Money Guiders England Network?
The Money Guiders England Network is a free learning and development programme influenced by its members, and complementing the MaPS competency framework for money guiders. It is open to organisations and individuals who provide any level of money guidance as part of their support to people, and who wish to be part of a supportive practitioner network. QSA, which has been involved in money guidance for over fifteen years through its pioneering Made of Money financial wellbeing programme, is delighted to be at the heart of this conversation amongst fellow practitioners.
What is money guidance?
Money guidance is any kind of conversation, information, signposting or guidance about money. It can cover a vast range of subjects to improve clients' financial resilience. Money guidance is separate from the regulated services provided by banks, financial institutions and debt advice agencies. Money guiders are able to support clients to access these regulated services when necessary.
What has the network done so far?
The purpose of the network is to create as many engaging opportunities as possible for as many practitioners as possible, to talk to each other, learn together, and share their experience. Since March 2021, QSA has facilitated 11 events, with 175 attendees in total. The events have covered a wide range of topics of interest to money guiders, including debt advice, loan sharks, Healthy Start vouchers and paying for a funeral. We’ve also had very successful discussion forums building confidence to starting difficult conversations and supporting people impacted by the removal of the £20 uplift to Universal Credit.
“I was made aware of support for struggling customers that I wasn’t aware of before”
network member
The network continues to grow, and currently has 269 members from 150 organisations across England, with the social housing sector, local authorities and grassroots charities all well represented.
UK Money Guiders Conference: Tuesday 9 November 11.30-13.00 / Thursday 11 November 11.30-13.00
Alongside partners leading Money Guider networks in the other nations of the UK, QSA will be co-hosting the UK Money Guiders Conference, a free lunchtime online conference which coincides with the Money and Pensions Service's Talk Money Week campaign. Money guiders can choose to attend either of the 1.5hr conference sessions, or come along to both and network with more people. The conference will explore the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on money guidance, and its importance for economic recovery.
The conference is for you if you give any type of non-regulated money guidance as part of your support, directly or indirectly and whatever your sector, job or organisation’s mission. From not-for-profit and public service/benefit organisations through to housing associations and healthcare providers, you’re welcome in the Money Guider community.