The Money House scoops prestigious Guardian award The Hyde Group’s pioneering financial resilience project, The Money House, was awarded Excellence in Housing at the Guardian Public Services Awards 2016, beating a record number of entries to lift the trophy.

Tom Gardiner, Hyde Plus special projects manager, was delighted and said: “I am so proud that the hard work of The Money House team has been recognised nationally for the benefits it brings to vulnerable young people.”

The Money House educates 16-25 year olds, who are at risk of eviction and homelessness, in personal finance to prepare them for independence.

The project is delivered in partnership with Greenwich Citizen’s Advice and Meridian Money Advice. The team has worked closely with the Royal London Borough of Greenwich, integrating The Money House training as part of the local leaving care and preventing youth homelessness pathway.

Almost 600 young people who have moved into their own home – or are about to – have completed the training, which takes place in Greenwich. “It’s here that we’ve created an environment where young people who may not have engaged in school can learn about topics that can be hard to teach. By using a real flat, specialist trainers and bespoke materials we have made improving young people’s financial confidence fun,” adds Tom.

Hyde’s four-year leadership of The Money House comes to an end in December when youth financial education charity MyBnk will take the reins.

Tom continued: “Winning this award is the pinnacle of Hyde’s work with The Money House and shows that providing financial capability training to young people is as vital now as it was when we began this project in 2013.” 

Based on information supplied by Lee-Anne.