About us

Formerly known as the Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset Financial Capability Forum, we provide:

• a forum for Partnership Working to address the need for greater personal confidence and increased financial capability in Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset and beyond.
• Fun, creative, inclusive workshops which enhance people's self esteem and financial capability through games, competitions, art and craft and simple budgeting activities.
• A brokering service to help create partnerships among existing service providers, so that they can serve the needs of local people more effectively.
• A resource to work with local community groups or influencers, to design and deliver bespoke, fun and interactive courses covering any subject which will increase the overall health and financial wellbeing of those in a local community or group.

Our Vision

To reduce the level and impact of "financial exclusion" (inability to access mainstream, low cost financial services) in Dorset and central Southern England, by improving the range, quality and coverage of services available to prevent people falling into debt and to enable them to stay financially secure.

To help create:

• happy and healthy families free from the stresses caused by poor money management
• stability in individual lives and a debt free and brighter future
• financially educated people who have the knowledge and support to make the best decisions for themselves in money matters
• increased self-esteem and greater productivity as employees and job seekers
• safer communities without stresses and potential crime caused by loan sharks and some doorstop / high interest lenders

Our Aims.

• To run 3 themed forum meetings a year, which will provide the "missing link" of financial education and increase partnership working for agencies, charities, government departments and some employers. These organisations are able to provide support in the area they specialise, but are looking to create "joined up" services for their clients/service users/community members.
• To train, and build a network of trainers who have the appropriate background to deliver courses to audiences with specific needs, and who may come from the local community i.e. a local Mum on a housing estate able to be trained to deliver "Money can be Fun" courses to other local Mums at a children's centre). To be able to pay them fairly for the work that they do on our behalf.
• To increase the self esteem and financial security of every person in the Dorset area who recognises that there is a need for change in their lives and is willing to address those needs, in a place and at a time that they feel safe enough to make those changes.
• To run courses on subjects that individuals would like to learn, while providing an environment where they can share financial and other concerns and be referred to the appropriate support.
• To reach out to "hard to reach" people who have literacy or numeracy issues and are afraid to make changes, and to find ways to help them express their needs and ambitions through art and craft activities. To help them support their families and friends through understanding the impact of positive reinforcement and goal setting.