Partnering with Money and Pensions Service to build skills for managing money online
Beginning in October 2024, Digital Communities Wales: Digital Health, Confidence and Well-being (DCW) partnered with Money and Pensions Service to deliver a series of webinars focused on digital and financial inclusion, and the benefits of managing money online.
At DCW, we understand that the communities we support have varying digital and financial needs and levels of ability. To reflect this, we designed and delivered webinars tailored to specific audience groups, based on our programme thematic groups. These groups included Health, Social Care, Social Housing, Older People, and Ethnic Minority Communities – including Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller Communities.
Our aim was to equip those working with individuals in these communities with a deeper understanding of digital inclusion, and how it relates to financial inclusion.
Being financially literate online has many benefits—from finding better-value items or utility tariffs, to accessing services such as benefits or financial guidance, including that provided by the Money and Pensions Service.
However, without the necessary digital skills or confidence to manage money online or seek guidance, many people risk being left behind and digitally excluded.
Over the course of the webinar series, 96 attendees were trained to help others overcome barriers and build confidence in managing money online.
We showcased invaluable existing tools and services to support digital skills and tackle the digital divide. These included Welsh Government’s DataMap Wales and Good Things Foundation’s National Digital Inclusion Network, National Databank, National Device bank and Learn My Way platform.
Lawrence Davies, Wales Partnership Manager for the Money and Pensions Service, highlighted the critical link between digital and financial inclusion:
“Digital access is essential for financial inclusion, as it allows individuals to engage with services like banking, savings, credit, even access to benefits. Without digital tools and skills, people can be excluded from opportunities that improve their financial wellbeing. Bridging the digital divide empowers everyone to manage their finances and make informed decisions, reducing inequality and fostering resilience.”
Throughout the series, the Money and Pensions Service demonstrated their Money Guiders programme, which is free to use by any organisation, team or practitioner giving money guidance.
Their team also provided a detailed demonstration of the Money Helper website, which provides free, impartial money and pensions guidance backed by Government.
MoneyHelper tools shown included their budget planner and benefits calculator.
As a result of the partnership work between DCW and Money and Pensions Service, the webinar series demonstrated to attendees how building digital skills and confidence empowers individuals to make the most of powerful online financial tools.
One attendee said that the webinar:
“Was very informative and I’ll share the resources with my team.”
While another highlighted the value of understanding the practicalities of supporting others:
“It’s important to be patient with people, and show a variety of tools to build confidence.”
You can find more information on the content of the webinar series in this guidance document. We’re also delivering a follow-up webinar in partnership with the Money and Pensions Service in June on digital and financial inclusion. Register here to attend.
