Follow the Money scheme fights cost-of-living crisis

Metro Mayor, Dan Norris, visited Cleans Slate’s drop-in service at Manvers Street Food Bank in Bath on 7th September, to find out about a new nine-week money guidance programme on offer to local residents.

Follow the Money is funded and managed by the West of England Combined Authority, led by Metro Mayor Dan Norris, and delivered by Clean Slate.

The programme will enable 70 people to receive a personalised package of support, made up of one-to-one time with a Support Worker, options to join money and employment skills groups as well as paid experience and mentorship towards employment in the support sector. Similar projects have seen people make average financial gains of £1,000.

As part of his visit, Mr Norris met Support Worker, Bella Washbourne and Peer Worker Mark Milsom who joined the programme and went on to receive mentorship and work experience via the Elements programme.

Mr Norris said it was important to back programmes like Follow the Money at a time when so many households are grappling with rocketing bills and prices. He said: “The cost-of-living crisis is biting harder than ever, and people are desperately worried about ever-rising energy bills. I’m pleased to be able to give a helping hand to over 70 residents thanks to this £80,000 cash injection from the West of England Authority I lead.”

Clean Slate Founder and Director, Jeff Mitchell, who hosted the Mayor, added: “We are delighted to receive funding from the West of England Combined Authority which will be targeted towards people who have been hit hardest by the cost-of-living crisis. It’s great to see leadership that recognises the cost-of-living emergency facing people in the West of England right now. Many of us are worried about the bills that will land in the Autumn and our Clean Slate Support Workers are ready to guide people through a comprehensive money health check and nine-week ‘Follow the Money’ programme with the aim to make significant financial gains.”

​For more information about Follow the Money, please click here.

The West of England Combined Authority is working in partnership with Clean Slate to deliver the Community Support Fund. As part of the Combined Authority’s Recovery Fund, this fund supports residents most disproportionately affected by COVID, to achieve better economic outcomes. For more information on the Community Support Fund, please visit the website here.