Yesterday, Mark Garnier hosted the launch of a resource pack which provides financial help and advice for people with learning disabilities.
Mark sponsored the Parliamentary reception on behalf of Barclays Money Skills and BILD, the British Institute of Learning Disabilities. The event was to celebrate the launch of a resource pack designed to help people with learning disabilities open and maintain a bank account. BILD, based in Kidderminster, is an organisation committed to improving the lives of people with learning disabilities and family carers.
Over 40 people attended the event which included senior representatives from Barclays, BILD and Mencap, family carers and people with learning disabilities who contributed to the resource pack. The pack included a DVD and written information explaining:
- how to set up a bank account
- how to keep your bank details safe and
- offering a list organisations to go to for help and advice.
Speaking after the event Mark said:
"Although walking into a bank and opening a bank account might seem straight forward for most people, if you have difficulties communicating or reading that task can be incredibly daunting. This resource pack is so important because it gives people with learning disabilities the ability to manage their own money confidently and securely. This in turn gives them the freedom that financial capability offers.
"I was particularly honoured to host an event for BILD which does such an amazing job by the support it offers people affected by learning disabilities, both in Kidderminster and throughout country. I was also very grateful to Barclays who have shown a long-term commitment to improving the money management skills of people with learning disabilities in the UK."