Community programmes
Trusted was designed for the wider community, an all-inclusive environment with no target demographics, simply the aspiration to include anyone who thought they could benefit themselves – or indeed be of benefit to others.
It was designed to be of use to people before they hit rock-bottom, to be a safety net before they needed to knock on the door of crisis services, stepping in just as the worry began.
All but the very rich seem to be affected in some way by the cost-of-living crisis, from single mums to barrister and professors, from employed to retired.
It’s been run across Essex for a number of years and has proved to be of value on every programme. Community have come together to share information and have improved:
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their financial knowledge and confidence on every programme usually by around 65%
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their wellbeing by around 80%.
Each session is ably assisted by the presence of a wide range of local organisations who join as community, opening themselves up to new conversations and awareness.
Social return on investment as calculated by one grant-giver showed
a return of £37.10 for every £1 funded
One council officer said “this is the only preventative method I know of”
