Last week volunteers from Northern Ireland Citizens Advice Bureau, Margaret Toner, Eddie Smith and Moneyactive trainer Grainne O’Malley attended a celebration tea, hosted by HRH the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, for their role giving money management training as part of the UK wide project, MoneyActive.
(Grainne O'Malley and HRH Princess Anne)
Speaking at the event Princess Anne, who has been Patron of the Citizens Advice service since 1990, thanked the volunteers for their enormous contribution to the MoneyActive project, CAB clients and their communities. Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice in England and Wales, also gave a speech at the event, recognising the role of volunteers in extending the services on offer to clients and the local community. Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert, who is currently campaigning to increase the provision of financial education in schools spoke at the event and congratulated the volunteers.
The afternoon tea held at the Chartered Insurance Institute in London celebrated the contribution made by over 1,600 project volunteers over the last 3 years. Funded by Nationwide Building Society, MoneyActive has trained and recruited volunteers to deliver money management sessions to local residents and those who work with them.
Nichola MacDougall, MoneyActive Project Coordinator, NIACAB, said:
"I would like to thank the volunteers and CAB managers involved in the Moneyactive project for all their dedication and enthusiasm. I have received extremely positive feedback, from young people to frontline workers attending the money management sessions delivered by MoneyActive volunteers throughout Northern Ireland. I hope the volunteers realise how important they have been in helping their community to deal with their finances more effectively, especially in these difficult economic times."
Rosemarie McDonnell, CAB Manager, Newry and Mourne District, said
"Money Active has benefitted the Bureau in a number of ways, it has developed the skills and knowledge of the Volunteers involved and build their confidence working in the local community. It has enabled the Bureau to reach clients that we would not normally come in contact with particularly the young people who as a result have used the other services of the Bureau this is in particular the Young Carers and those in local schools".
Margaret Toner, MoneyActive Volunteer, Newry CAB, said:
"As a Money active volunteer I have truly enjoyed the challenge set as
a trainer delivering the sessions. I have not only gained confidence, knowledge, experience, and new skills but also a new qualification.
Overall, the feeling of satisfaction I have from helping people to understand that dealing with money does not have to be a fearful process."
Notes to Editors:
1. Citizens Advice is the largest advice charity in Northern Ireland working against poverty, meeting the information and advice needs of some 90,000 people per year and dealing with over 326,000 issues. For more information see www.citizensadvice.co.uk.
2. Citizens Advice Northern Ireland has formal links to National Citizens Advice in England and Wales and close working relationships with Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS). Together the three associations constitute the largest advice network in Europe, with over 60 year’s experience of providing advice and information to the public.
3. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.