Monmouthshire Building Society hosts financial session for pupils

Gloucester and Forest Alternative Provision School visited the Society’s Head Office in Newport to learn about how building societies work and how to keep safe online, as well as potential future job opportunities in the finance sector.

Russet House Centre, one of the three centres of Gloucester and Forest Alternative Provision School (GFAPS), is located in Tuffley, Gloucester. It provides support for permanently excluded teenagers aged 14-16 to achieve their best possible outcome both academically and socially.

Ekaterina Henderson, English Teacher at GFAPS, quoted: “As part of our school ethos, we believe that equipping our students with resilience, respect and the ability to manage their emotions will enable them to be successful in any classroom or wider social environment. We are very passionate about broadening our students’ horizons and raising their career aspirations, this is why school visits like this one to Monmouthshire Building Society are so important for our students.”

The visit was arranged as part of the Building Society’s award winning community initiative which enables colleagues to connect with their local communities.

Beverley Flood, Senior People Partner said: “We were delighted to welcome the group from Gloucester and Forest Alternative Provision, to enable their learning and understanding about the financial sector and the choices available in the industry.

“The Society’s own values are about helping our colleagues, members and communities to thrive today and tomorrow, so building partnerships like this one fits incredibly well with our purpose. It was a pleasure to meet the young people and their teachers. 

The Society recently won a top national award for Community Services at the Mortgage Finance Gazette Awards. The award recognised the support the Society has given to its members, colleagues and communities over the past year through their range of community initiatives, including their In Touch programme, Charitable Foundation, branch sponsorship and colleague volunteering scheme.

The award recognises the support the Society has given to its members, colleagues and communities over the past year.

Mr Clemow, GFAPS Science teacher added: “We have received such a warm welcome at Monmouthshire Building Society during our school trip and the sessions on managing your finances and fraud that the enthusiastic staff have provided were extremely useful for our young people. We will be sharing STOP, CHALLENGE, PROTECT campaign against fraud with the rest of our students at GFAPS.”