Margot James celebrated with young people from Action for Children’s Dudley Young Carers last week (Friday 22 June) on their successful completion of an innovative money management course, and offered her support to the project during National Carers Week.

Action for Children is working in partnership with Barclays to deliver the Barclays Money Skills programme to young people who may be struggling to manage their finances, providing them with the tools and support needed to improve their money management skills and gain a better understanding of financial matters.

This year, Action for Children will support more than 2,500 of the UK’s most vulnerable young people to participate in Barclays Money Skills sessions, including young parents and young carers, those in youth clubs and training centres, and young people leaving care. Other UK charities involved in the initiative to reach more than one million people by the end of 2012 include the National Youth Agency, UK Youth, Youth Access and the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

Margot James, later commented: “Meeting such a fantastic group of young people during National Carers Week, which recognises the invaluable contribution of these young carers to their families and society, was a wonderful and humbling experience.”

“The support Action for Children and Barclays are giving young people in helping them get to grips with their finances is fantastic. For many young carers, it can be difficult to manage their money effectively. The Barclays Money Skills programme is a really practical way of equipping them with the knowledge and tools that will help them do this.”

For further details, visit www.barclaysmoneyskills.com

Photo: Margot James with Libby and Courtney