Charity Spotlight: CHAP recognised for financial education work with young people

Charity Spotlight: CHAP recognised for financial education work with young people

(from left): Debbie Alexander (chief executive officer, CHAP), Robin Ballantyne (head of education, CHAP), and Elizabeth Halliday (head of responsible business (Scotland), Morgan Sindall Construction)

A long-standing partnership between CHAP and Morgan Sindall Construction has received further recognition, with the advice charity being presented with an award for its work delivering financial education in Dumfries & Galloway secondary schools.

CHAP received the prestigious ‘Climate Action’ award at the recent Morgan Sindall Supply Chain Awards in recognition of the delivery of their Life Skills programme as part of the Morgan Sindall Just Transition initiative to help young people develop the skills and confidence they need for the future.

Through practical and engaging sessions, CHAP’s Education Team helps young people develop an understanding of essential money skills including budgeting, saving, understanding credit, and the real-life cost of everyday living.

The programme demonstrates that effective climate action is not only about reducing carbon emissions but also about creating resilient, sustainable communities – with teaching skills that help young people to navigate future economic challenges while fostering behaviours that support more sustainable lifestyles.

Elizabeth Halliday, head of responsible business at Morgan Sindall Construction in Scotland, said: “CHAP’s Life Skills programme is a brilliant example of climate action and social action going hand in hand; and reflects exactly what we hoped to achieve when we launched our Just Transition initiative. By giving young people the confidence and knowledge to make informed financial decisions, the programme is helping to build stronger, more resilient communities and create a fairer, more inclusive transition to a low-carbon future.

“At Morgan Sindall Construction, we’re proud to play a part in this through our supply chain partnership. This award is thoroughly deserved recognition of the positive difference CHAP is making to young people across Dumfries & Galloway.”

CHAP is grateful for the strong relationship it has developed with Morgan Sindall Construction over the last year and the support the company has provided to its education and wider community work. The partnership also has an important local connection - with Morgan Sindall Construction and SCAPE Scotland currently delivering the new Ardrossan Community Campus.

The award was presented to Robin Ballantyne, head of education, alongside Debbie Alexander, CEO at CHAP.

Robin said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to receive this award and incredibly proud that our team’s work has been recognised in this way. Financial education is such an important part of preparing young people for a future beyond the classroom, and we know that giving pupils the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions can help build greater financial resilience later in life.

“We’re particularly pleased that the award highlights the wider social impact of our work and we’re extremely grateful to Morgan Sindall for their continued support.”

In addition to providing free advice and support for housing, debt, and welfare issues, CHAP’s education programme equips young people across Ayrshire and beyond with practical financial, housing and independent living skills that support safer, more confident transitions into adult life.

The Scottish Housing News Charity Spotlight feature highlights the vital work of charities across Scotland each Friday. To include your local charity, whether housing-related or not, send your story and images to us at newsdesk@scottishnews.com.

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