Banking on a bright future

PROUD moment . . . pictured at the presentation, from left, David Booth (branch manager Barclays Oldham); Linda Edwards (lead tutor Rathbone); award winners Aqsa Rani and Maryim Munir.

A CHARITY scheme to help needy youngsters get their finances in order has made a telling difference to a Clarksfield teenager’s life.

Mum Maryim Munir (19) had struggled to scrimp enough money together to move out from under her parents’ roof and set up home with her young family.

But the Barclays-backed Bank On It programme has taught the mother-of-one how to save — and helped her to take her first step on to the property ladder.

Maryim is one of 10 teenagers from the Union Street-based charity Rathbone to invest eight weeks on a project which examined everything from ISAs to how to avoid credit card fraud.

Working with fellow would-be child carer Aqsa Rani (17), also from Clarksfield, Maryim produced a project complete with interactive game which aimed to bust banking jargon.

“Although the young people had heard of terms such as overdraft and current account, they really didn’t understand what they meant,” said Linda Edwards, lead tutor at Rathbone Oldham. It’s really important young people understand banking — particularly as some are trying to manage on as little as £30 a week.”

Along with the other nine learners, the recently-married Maryim received a certificate for completing a Level 1 Key Skills qualification at a presentation held at the centre last week.

Currently tackling a flexible foundation course before moving on to college, Maryim said: “Banking doesn’t seem so scary now. Bank On It has helped me plan my finances, so I can save up for a deposit and provide for my daughter.

“I also like being at Rathbone because I can learn while looking after my family. It was hard to find a college course or a job that would let me do that.”