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What the forums do

Forums provide a way for bureaux and other local partners to:

• meet and share experiences and resources such as lessons learned about effective delivery models and training materials
• offer and receive mutual support - important for practitioners working in an emerging discipline
• form new partnerships - including delivery partnerships that can make collaborative funding bids
• make effective links to developing areas of policy and associated delivery in their regions – eg relating to local authority Community Strategies
• support and encourage bureaux and other agencies to engage with this area of work and initiate/extend programmes
• access information on training materials and other resources generated centrally through Citizens Advice.

Forums have already attracted some 1,500 participants from more than 1,000 organisations such as housing associations, local authorities, other advice agencies, credit unions, schools, the BBC, local community groups and MPs.

Achievements and activities

All fourteen forums hold at least three meetings per year and attract a range of participants.

Forum members have worked in partnership to deliver financial capability training as part of a range of initiatives. These have included the ongoing Energy Best Deal campaign.This has raised awareness about ways to reduce energy costs and signposting to help that is available

Other activities include:

• The North West, Yorkshire and Humber and Welsh forums have all run successful conferences to promote financial capability in their regions.
• Forums have run meetings aimed at particular groups of members. These have included strategic sessions aimed at managers and policy makers and practitioner workshops for delegates to share and discuss training resources and delivery issues.
• Sub-regional and county forums have been developed to encourage participation in particular areas that have been under-represented at regional meetings.
• Kirklees Citizens Advice Bureau secured three years of development funding from HBOS Foundation to employ a Project Officer for the Yorkshire and Humber financial capability forum. The aim is to improve the reach of the forum, improve its engagement with public sector stakeholders, develop partnership projects and join up local social policy work.

Citizens Advice would be pleased to hear from potential investors who would be interested in replicating this model and supporting the development of local regional or sub regional forums.

If you are interested in working with us, please email Beth Bell.

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