EFD homepage > media centre > media releases > media release

Media release 21 May 2002

Barclays tells people with learning difficulties 'It's Your Money!'

Picture of Coronation Street's Roy Cropper (actor David Nielson) The Rt Hon Lord Ashley of Stoke hosted the national launch of It's Your Money, a guide aimed at people with language, literacy and learning difficulties to representatives from finance, government, trade associations and disability groups on 21 May 2002.

Coronation Street's Roy Cropper (actor David Nielson) prefaces It's Your Money with the advice 'Shop around. Banks want to help you - it's in their interest to have you as a customer.'

The Employers' Forum on Disability, in partnership with People First and Barclays, has pioneered the easy-to-read, colourful guide to make it easier for people with learning and literacy difficulties to use banks.

Piloted successfully to disabled people's organisations and financial institutions alike, It's Your Money introduces the basics of managing money day-to-day - from understanding your first pay cheque to using ATMs. Barclays is funding distribution of 200,000 copies to customers and disability groups throughout the UK free of charge.

“As more people need to open a bank account for their benefits,' said Barclays Consumer and Community Affairs Director, Martin Mosley, 'this booklet will be of great benefit to those people who have so far found banks and other financial institutions difficult to access.

“As a Gold Card member of the Forum, we are committed to making banking accessible to all disabled customers. We are sponsoring this booklet because we believe it is important that customers receive as much information as possible, in a format that is suitable to them. Other initiatives include our sponsorship of youreable.com and the investment we are making to improve access to our branches.”

“There are more than a million people with learning disabilities in the UK,” said the Forum's Chief Executive, Susan Scott-Parker. “In addition, we believe this guide will be welcomed by a much wider group, which includes people with English as a second language, people who dislike complex documents, and perhaps even school leavers who are opening their first accounts and reading their first payslips.”

“Accessible information is so important; it allows people with learning difficulties to make their own decisions about where to place their money,” said Director of self-advocacy group, People First, Andrew Lee. “Imagine what it would be like if someone just assumed you couldn't manage your money and took control of it, deciding you could only have a few pounds for socialising a week. Independence is a naturally a big issue for people with learning difficulties. We welcome Barclays support.”

Ends

If you would like further information, contact:

Employers' Forum on Disability
Telephone: 020 7089 3020
email: media@employers-forum.co.uk

For further press information about Barclays contact:
Moya Welsh
Group PR Manager
Barclays PLC
Tel: (020) 7699 4114
email: moya.welsh@barclays.co.uk

Notes to editors:

  1. The Employers' Forum on Disability is recognised as the authoritative employers' voice on disability as it affects business. Members represent over 380 major organisations that currently employ more than 20 per cent of the UK workforce. The Forum works closely with disabled people, government and other stakeholders, sharing best practice to make it easier to employ disabled people and serve disabled customers.
  2. Barclays PLC is a Gold Card Member of the Forum, and Group Chief Executive, Matt Barrett, recently launched their global equality and diversity charter setting out its vision and commitment to becoming a business leader in the field. Barclays aims to be an inclusive organisation, offering a choice of services for everyone and promoting equality and diversity at all levels.
  3. People First is a self-advocacy group working to improve the lives of all people with learning difficulties and campaigning to change the system. People First was involved in the White Paper 'Valuing People'. Contact: Andrew Lee tel (020) 7485 6660 (Please fax questions prior to calling in 18-point: (0207) 485 6664)
  4. It's Your Money will be distributed across the UK to disability groups and local community organisations. Details can also be found on Youreable.com and the Forum's website.
  5. For free copies of It's Your Money, call the publications department at Employers' Forum on Disability on (020) 7403 3020