A project aimed at tackling poverty across Denbighshire and Conwy has been officially launched.
People from across Conwy and Denbighshire gathered recently for the launch of the Financial Inclusion Together (FIT) programme, led by the Conwy and Denbighshire Local Service Board.
Supported by the European Social Fund through Welsh Government, Financial Inclusion Together aims to develop partnership working and improve people’s access to the financial services, advice and support they need, ultimately reducing poverty.
The project will deliver financial inclusion awareness sessions to over 1, 000 frontline workers, giving them essential skills, knowledge and tools to support, signpost and refer effectively around financial inclusion.
The launch was attended by Jeff Cuthbert, AM, the Welsh Government Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty. During his speech he said: “The Welsh Government is committed to taking action to benefit people experiencing, or at risk of, poverty. That is why it is so pleasing to see the work being done to ensure financial inclusion is integrated and embedded into the service delivery of public, private and third sector organisations. This has a key role in mitigating the impact of poverty and we will take the learning from your project to improve the way we all work across Wales.
“In these economically uncertain times, it’s vitally important that we continue to prioritise the needs of the poorest and protect the most vulnerable against poverty and marginalisation and help people become financially included.”
Sarah Lamberton, Project Manager said: “The project comes at a time of financial austerity, pay day lenders on the rise and local food banks experiencing a threefold increase in demand for food parcels.
“We are not aiming to re-invent the wheel with this project. We want to work closely with organisations and advice agencies to develop and bolster the networks and partnerships that already exist.”
Opening the launch, Andrew Bowden, Chair of the joint Local Service Board, Chief Executive of Cartrefi Conwy and board member of Financial Inclusion Together said: “The project is very much viewed as a learning project with other areas potentially interested in replicating the model, therefore monitoring and evaluation are crucial.
“In addition to capturing data and perspectives from frontline workers and organisations the project will also seek views from those citizens affected by it.”
By December 2014, when project funding ends, it is hoped that Conwy and Denbighshire LSB will have its own integrated approach to financial inclusion and strong evidence of how such a model really is FIT for reducing poverty and improving the lives of people within Conwy and Denbighshire.
To find out more about the project email [email protected] or phone 01824 712272.
To find out more about the European Social Fund visit www.wales.gov.uk
