Christmas shoppers urged to understand their finances
To celebrate Number Confidence Week (4-8 November), Stoke on Trent College, in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, is encouraging adults across the city to access free numeracy courses that will help them stay in control of their finances this festive season.
Stoke by Numbers is part of the government’s national programme, Multiply, which is helping adults across Stoke-on-Trent improve their ability to understand and use maths in daily life.
Whilst the programme is open to all eligible adults across Stoke-on-Trent who want to improve their number confidence and numeracy skills for a variety of reasons, the focus this week is around the forthcoming festive season and the importance of knowing your numbers ahead of the most expensive time of the year.
Cllr Sarah Jane Colclough, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for education and anti-poverty said:
“The Stoke by Numbers programme, in partnership with Stoke on Trent College, helps give adults across the city more confidence in their numeracy skills. Whether it’s helping your children with their homework or, particularly at this time of year, managing budgets better, Stoke by Numbers can help. We know that adults across our city are already finding things difficult with the cost-of-living crisis. The costs around Christmas are going to amplify these financial challenges and put household budgets under even more pressure, making improving number confidence even more important.”
Antoinette Lythgoe, Interim Chief Executive of Stoke on Trent College said:
“Through free support and training, Stoke by Numbers aims to give adults across Stoke-on-Trent improved number confidence so they can manage budgets effectively, understand credit and store card charges and work out the savings they are making on Black Friday deals. We would encourage Stokies to grasp this opportunity to access these free services ahead of the festive season.”
To learn more about Stoke by Numbers, the free support in place and to find a learning location near you, visit stokebynumbers.co.uk.