Sir Robert Buckland joins SEN school on Nationwide head office

Students with special educational needs were joined by South Swindon MP Sir Robert Buckland on a visit Nationwide’s Swindon head office.

The young people learned about the importance of finance to their lives.

Pupils in Years 8 and 9 from Churchward School toured the Croft branch in Nationwide House, Pipers Way, to learn more about how branches work, and sat down for fun interactive activities and a ‘Money Lesson’ designed with their needs in mind. 

South Swindon MP Sir Robert Buckland, an advocate of financial education, joined in with the sessions to see at first hand how the right lessons can empower everyone to take control of their own finances.

Nationwide’s Money Lessons have been refreshed for a new school year and teach children about the essentials of a healthy money mindset, from the basics of savings and budgeting through to an explanation of credit and how to stay safe from scams on social media and online games.

The programme is designed to be delivered by local Nationwide colleagues. Staff volunteer to hold the sessions with local schools, to give children confidence and help develop healthy habits early. 

At the event at Nationwide’s head office, staff gave children gifts to help them remember the importance of money, from notepads to piggy banks.

Keegan Backhouse, Member Relationships Manager at Nationwide Building Society, said: “It’s important for everyone to learn about money in the way that’s best for them, especially with the rising costs facing us all. 

"But not everyone has access to good quality financial education that will work for their needs, which is why we talk to schoolchildren to help them start early on their money journey.

“It’s particularly important for children with special educational needs – the world of money can seem especially cold and unapproachable for neurodiverse people, so we want to make learning about money as friendly and easy as possible. It’s about learning the right things in the right way.”