Thrive Programme kicks off this Easter

NatWest, Marcus Rashford MBE and the National Youth Agency have joined forces to launch the Thrive Programme – a new programme being trialled at youth community centres across England to help address the lack of financial confidence and concerns that young people face today. 

The new programme is being launched as a pilot across three youth community centres in Manchester, London and Sunderland this week, with plans to scale it across the summer.

Footballer Marcus Rashford returned to one of the launch venues this week – the Norbrook Youth Club in Wythenshawe which he attended growing up and continues to support, to discuss and further refine the programme with NatWest CEO Alison Rose and the National Youth Agency. 

With 67% of young people worrying about money, and only 8% of financial education coming from the classroom, NatWest, Marcus Rashford and the National Youth Agency have collaborated to create a programme that offers some much-needed support and guidance for young people to develop a positive mindset around money and help champion their potential. 

Led by inspirational youth workers, the content of the programme has been tailored to make the financial messages and guidance practical and relevant, suiting the learning-styles of different young people, promoting discussion with real-life examples. 

Some of the topics covered in the programme will include 

• Money Mindset: Developing an awareness of young peoples own beliefs about money, and the potential for beliefs to limit actions that could improve financial wellbeing. 
• Money Talks: Busting myths when talking about money and outline ways to have conversations about money in close relationships. 
• Own Your Vision: Set goals for life achievements and effectively plan age-appropriate ways to reach them 

In partnership with the National Youth Agency, the professional, statutory and regulatory body for youth work in England who sets and validates the national standards for youth work qualifications, the programme will equip youth workers with a series of workshops and activities designed to speak to young people on their terms and in a way that they can relate to. 

The content of the programme has been tailored to make the messages practical, relevant, and suitable to being discussed in a way that suits the learning-styles of different young people, promoting discussion and practical examples over formal textbook-led education. 

Marcus Rashford, MBE, said of the launch: “A lot of kids are scared to go to a bank, and that’s not surprising because they don’t teach you about money mindset at school. For those who grew up in the sort of area that I did, it’s about what you don’t have, rather than what you could achieve. The positive and empowering element doesn’t register in their heads.  

“It’s not hard to reverse that, but not many people are trying to change that. It’s why I’m proud to work with NatWest on the Thrive Programme.  

“I know so many talented young people who could really benefit from a programme like this, who could actually propel themselves into something much bigger and achieving their goals… I’m really excited to be involved and to help shape the program.” 

Alison Rose, CEO of NatWest said: “Helping young people – no matter what their background – to thrive and develop a positive money mindset is core to our purpose and what I want us to achieve as a bank.  

“We know education through inspiring relationships can have a big impact on young people, that’s why with the Thrive Programme we’ll be working with local and relatable people within the community to help young people reach their potential. 

“Co-creating this programme with Marcus has helped us to better tailor our content to the real-life experiences of young people, and has only reinforced the amazing impact that positive role-models and peers can have in helping to develop an understanding of money and goal-setting.” 

Leigh Middleton, CEO of the National Youth Agency said, “We are delighted to be partnering with NatWest and Marcus Rashford to design and deliver such an important programme. All young people deserve to thrive; high quality youth work gives young people access to that one inspirational adult that can make the difference growing up.  

“Youth workers provide safe spaces to explore their identity, increased self-confidence and develop the life skills to thrive growing up.  The Thrive Programme will provide youth workers with fantastic resources, toolkits and knowledge to continue transforming the lives of young people and enable them to reach their potential.”