evaluation
Evidence type: Evaluation i
Information about the programme design and rationale
Evidence about Financial Capability outcomes for programme participants
Evidence that the Financial Capability outcomes were caused by the programme
Evidence about programme implementation, feasibility, and piloting
Evidence about relative costs and benefits of the programme
The Cash Smart Credit Savvy (CSCS) programme offers an introduction to budgeting skills and financial capability as an early financial intervention. It was devised to be a short and accessible course. Originally developed by Trent Vineyard Church and Transforming Notts Together and now delivered by Just Finance Foundation (JFF), CSCS has been scaled up using funding from the Money Advice Service’s What Works Fund to cover five pilot areas: Liverpool, Newcastle, Stoke on Trent and the Black Country, Canterbury and Plymouth.
The programme aims to improve financial wellbeing by increasing people’s confidence in talking and making informed choices about money, through promoting a stronger savings culture and by encouraging people to share learning from the course with others. CSCS is delivered to two key audiences, Train the Trainers (training future course leaders) and general course participants (open to all working age adults who want to improve their financial capability). The course encourages participants to share the knowledge and skills they attain. The course covers five main topic areas including money management, budgeting, credit and loans, debt and savings.
The evaluation was carried out between January 2017 and February 2018 by the Centre for Economic and Social Research (CRESR) at Sheffield Hallam University. The evaluation addresses key research questions including the approach taken to improve the financial capability of working age adults through short term community based training, the applicability of course-learning in daily life, the extent to which new learning is shared with family and friends, and growth in confidence and skills in budgeting and saving. A Theory of Change model is presented at the beginning of the report.
Data was collected during telephone interviews with participants and a focus group with JFF (Just Finance Foundation) and CUF (Church Urban Fund) Network Partners. Pre and post-course surveys with aspiring trainers and general participants were conducted, with 295 pre-course and 265 post-course surveys completed. Online surveys and course observation were also used.
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Just Finance Foundation (JFF)https://www.cuf.org.uk/just-financeSheffield Hallam Universityj.m.gilbertson@shu.ac.uk