YORKSHIRE Building Society are running two online lessons of its financial education programme Money Minds, to support Key Stage 1 pupils through the coronavirus pandemic.

Money Minds is a free programme consisting of a series of activities and projects designed to promote discussion and learning amongst children and young people and is usually delivered in schools by colleagues from the Society.

Due to current government guidance and the closure of schools, the Bradford-based society launched the two new digital Money Minds lessons on the topics of ‘Keeping Money Safe’ and ‘Wants and Needs’.

The 25-minute lessons are presented by colleagues from the Society.

Sharon Stirling, manager of the Yorkshire Building Society branch in Edinburgh filmed the ‘Keeping Money Safe’ lesson. Society colleagues working in branches are key workers and are supporting customers with essential financial services through the Covid-19 outbreak.

She said: “I’ve delivered numerous Money Minds lessons for the Yorkshire to both primary and secondary school pupils in the past and know from experience how well received these sessions are. When I heard about this opportunity to deliver them digitally there was no hesitation.

“It’s no secret that life’s been tougher lately for children, parents and guardians as schools have closed and I hope that these Money Minds lessons will make their lives a little easier by having some quality ‘go to’ content available to use.”

The Society hopes to add more lessons for the remaining Key Stages over the coming weeks and months on further topics ranging from planning a party and learning budgeting skills for children aged eight to 11, up to calculating interest and responsibilities to repay loans for older children.

Louise Neill, Community Manager at Yorkshire Building Society has developed the financial education lessons. She said: “Learning how to effectively manage finances is a vital life skill. We’re committed to supporting children and young people in teaching financial education through our Money Minds programme and we are adapting the way we do that throughout the coronavirus outbreak and hope it will help to improve financial capability in the UK.”

More than 25,000 pupils across the UK have now received a Money Minds lesson since the programme launched in 2015.

When children have completed the lesson their parents or guardians can e-mail the Society and they will be e-mailed a certificate.

Parents, guardians and children can view the lessons at www.ybs.co.uk/media-centre/money-minds-KS1.

More information about Money Minds can be found at www.ybs.co.uk/your-society/money-minds.