Organisations across Calderdale and the wider region have come together to better understand how to support local people who may be experiencing financial difficulties or digital exclusion.
People can be digitally excluded due to a number of reasons; they could lack the skills to be able to navigate the internet; struggle to afford internet packages or suitable devices; or live in an area without adequate internet connectivity.
Financial vulnerability and digital exclusion can further isolate people who are struggling to get by. As part of the borough’s Anti-Poverty Partnership, Calderdale Council, with the Money Guiders England Network, hosted an event at the King’s Centre, Halifax, on Thursday 18 September, exploring ways to promote financial wellbeing through partnerships and money guidance.
The partnership event welcomed over 100 people from across health, voluntary, community and education sectors to hear more about how working together can better support low-income households around issues relating to financial and digital hardship.
The programme included a range of presentations and stalls at a marketplace event, where people could find out more about key projects, schemes and services. This included highlighting the national programme called Money Guiders, giving frontline workers the tools, confidence and knowledge to start conversations about money.
The Council has a longstanding commitment to work with statutory and voluntary sector partners to support residents, and work is coordinated through the borough’s Anti-Poverty Partnership. The event was an opportunity to highlight local support and how staff and volunteers across the partnership can effectively provide information, guidance and signposting help to residents.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, Cllr Danielle Durrans, said:
“We live in a digital world, and for people who have problems accessing the internet, this can exacerbate financial issues or further isolate people who may already be struggling.
“Ensuring that people have the support that they need can make a huge impact, and along with partners, we offer a range of digital inclusion schemes. At the recent partnership event, we heard from local and national organisations about the challenges that people are facing and how we can work together to best support residents.
“This is part of our important work to reduce inequalities across Calderdale, with a real focus on tackling poverty and supporting people facing cost of living pressures.”
Jenny Wright, Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) Regional Manager for Yorkshire and the Humber, said:
“This event was about bringing people together to share practical tools and insights that can make a real difference to people’s lives. Financial and digital exclusion are deeply interconnected, and we need collaborative, community-driven responses.
“Launched as part of MaPS’ UK Strategy for Financial Wellbeing, the Money Guiders programme offers free training, resources, and a professional network for anyone providing non-regulated money guidance. This includes staff and volunteers in housing, health, education, social care, and community organisations. It’s about making support visible and building financial wellbeing into everyday conversations.”
For more help and advice with money matters and cost of living support, visit www.calderdale.gov.uk/mwic(external link).