GRWP Llandrillo Menai’s students across its campuses were given the opportunity to improve their financial skills as part of the college group’s annual Money Skills Week initiative.

The aim of Money Week was to encourage students to think about budgeting, the benefits of saving frequently and the perils of debt.

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has campuses in Abergele, Bangor, Caernarfon, Colwyn Bay, Glynllifon, Holyhead, Llangefni, Pwllheli, Rhos-on-Sea and Rhyl.

The programme’s is designed to help learners get to grips with managing money, a vital skill for life. Many young adults start to face the challenges of living independently when they start college, work, or university for the first time, and most will not have previously received any formal financial education.

The initiative is designed to improve not only the financial skills, but the entrepreneurial and employability skills of students in further education. Representatives from Student Finance Wales were on hand to offer advice and information.

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai developed a week-long series of activities to provide students with an awareness of money-management issues and to give them the tools they need to stay in control of their budget. Students across campuses participated in entertaining and informative money-related activities based on topics such as food, fashion, and independent living.

The activities included tutorials, as well as fun, informal, lunchtime activities and competitions for students. Student union presidents held several ‘can you taste the difference’ taste tests across the campuses, using branded and unbranded food products.

The student union presidents also promoted the TOTUM (NUS Extra Card), UniDays and Student Beans initiatives, encouraging students to register to save money on clothing, technology and food. The student union also promoted the money advice service’s website, which offers advice and information on money matters, including an online savings calculator.

Sarah Wynn Griffiths, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s enrichment officer, said: “It was fantastic to be able to offer this innovative money management programme at a time when students are increasingly being put under pressure due to the higher costs of day-to-day living. Good financial decisions are essential in today’s tough economic climate, and by building students’ financial knowledge we are giving them vital skills for the future.

“It allowed us to deliver money management, employability and enterprise-themed activities in a way that created a real buzz in the college and maximised student learning. The programme helped students to develop key life skills which are critical to their future success.”