Empowering young people to take control of their money and their future
Words That Count is Switch Up’s youth-led financial literacy programme, developed in partnership with Experian, to give vulnerable young people across Nottinghamshire the knowledge, confidence, and skills to manage their money effectively.
Young people have helped us to develop six modules, written in their own words and replacing jargon with more relatable language.
The result is a dynamic, inclusive learning experience that truly resonates with participants and aimed at those who are not in mainstream education, have complex learning needs and are most at risk of financial exclusion.
Words That Count is about equipping young people with the financial literacy they need to make informed choices, avoid exploitation, and build stable futures. We see the critical link between mental health and money, and how financial stress often deepens emotional distress.
Through targeted support and education, we aim to break this cycle and empower today’s youth to take control of their futures. The Words That Count workshops, delivered by Switch Up youth workers and supported by young people from the programme, are designed to:
- Deliver accessible, youth-led financial education through 1-to-1 and group workshop formats
- Improve budgeting, saving, and financial decision-making skills
- Embed real-life scenarios and interactive activities in a language young people understand
- Build confidence in vulnerable young people and neurodiverse learners for navigating financial systems
- Spread the word and raise awareness of financial literacy
- Celebrate the achievements of every young person who has completed the Words That Count programme with a certificate and with a graduation ceremony.
Switch Up exists to ensure no young person is left behind. With the right support, they can develop resilience, access meaningful opportunities, and contribute positively to their communities.
