Introduction to MoneyCounts

St John of God Carmona Services and MABS, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, present MoneyCounts, a new money management training programme for people with intellectual disabilities and other community groups.

The project was developed in a partnership between Carmona Services and MABS with the support of  Benefit – The eInclusion Scheme facilitated by The Knowledge Society Division of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

MoneyCounts was devised in response to an identified gap in financial literacy amongst people with intellectual disabilities and other vulnerable groups. The OECD in 2005 voiced their concern about the possible adverse effects of low levels of financial literacy in a context of increased use of financial products. Training and education in this area is aimed at facilitating learners in making effective informed decisions about their finances.

The present economic situation in Ireland poses significant difficulties for people who are dependent upon Social Welfare payments and both St John of God Services and MABS work to support individuals in managing their financial affairs as effectively as possible. MoneyCounts forms part of an overall strategy to provide learners with the knowledge and skills required to achieve this. The content of the training programme is objective and neutral and is committed to ensuring that no particular financial institution or product is promoted in any way.

The training programme comprises  a step by step programme guide for the facilitator, together with interactive games and exercises for the learners.

The Project Team of MoneyCounts wishes both facilitators and learners every success in this learning experience and hopes that it will support safer and smarter money management. 

MoneyCounts was devised and developed by the following project team:

Mary Walsh (Programme Facilitator, St John of God Carmona Services)
    
Carol Dunne (National Development Officer, MABS)

Audrey Carroll (Programme Coordinator, St John of God, Carmona Services)