Building Community Resilience

Financial Inclusion

History

• GEMAP Scotland - History• Established in 1994• Local response to poverty issues• Built a good reputation as a

money advice project• Aware of revolving-door syndrome• Began a process self-evaluation• Led to the development of a different type of

service model/creating resilience

The New Model

• A different approach to financial inclusion•A new model which fuses traditional casework and financial capability•“Financial independence for local people to take control of their financial affairs to promote financial responsibility” - Mission statement

The New Model

•Gemap’s approach emanates from the foundation, that money affects everyone.•the impact money has on social inclusion, health & well being, employability, education, has to be examined •because of this approach, Gemap was able to establish our programme, which was applicable to a variety of communities

The Programme • Modular programme • Specific learning outcomes • Flexible• Continually developed • Adapted to suit the needs/issues/experiences

of the particular group• Interactive, encouraging and empathetic

delivery

Programme Delivery • Group work • Tutors• Interactive • Flexible • Thematic• Fun based learning • Distinct learning outcomes• Evaluated

How Gemap managed the transition

• Asked • Listened • Analysed • Focused • Designed • Adapted • Responded • Changed • Reflected

Building Communities of Resilience

• Focus on different issue based communities• Out with ‘geographical’ community • Flexible programme and expertise of GEMAP• Adapted to suit the needs of the group/partner• Examples; Employability, Housing, Youth

organisations, School programme (P1 –S6), colleges, parent’s groups and nurseries

• Stepping Stones and Peer group

The Fusion • Money advisors & Financial Inclusion Officers • Relationship between the two teams • Sharing expertise & knowledge creates a unique financial inclusion process • Clients benefit from a holistic approach• The service can be accessed from either entry

point

Impacts & Outcomes • In excess of 10,000 through our programme• Over 200 new bank accounts opened• 7 School based credit unions established • Helped to establish 3 College based credit unions• 2 credit union bases established• Further 3 planned this year• Workshops delivered, building capacity • & resilience in Communities

Some Questions for You Reflect on the communities, you live or work in Have you identified what financial issues your community may face How could your community build their financial resilience