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This project successfully funded on 3rd June 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
SmartSteps – Building Financial Resilience
London, England, United Kingdom
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Aim
We are raising funds to help people of all ages build financial resilience by learning practical money skills and making informed choices
We are Clapton Support & Advice (CSAA), a charity based in Hackney, dedicated to helping people of all ages manage everyday challenges and improve their wellbeing.
Every day, we provide practical advice, guidance, and one-to-one support to individuals and families facing financial, social, and personal difficulties.
Our work includes:
💰 Debt management – helping people regain control of their finances
🏠 Housing support – navigating rental issues and benefits
📝 Accessing benefits – guidance on welfare, entitlements, and applications
👪 Family support – assisting families experiencing financial or social hardship
📚 Workshops, drop-in sessions & community events – building skills, confidence, and knowledge
🌟 All of our volunteers have lived experience of poverty, and they share how they became financially resilient. This lived experience underpins the advice and guidance we provide, showing participants practical, achievable ways to improve their financial situation.
Clapton Support & Advice (CSAA) has strong links with the local voluntary and community sector in Hackney, which enables us to reach people who would most benefit from the SmartSteps programme.
Many participants are identified through direct referrals from local charities and community organisations that regularly support individuals experiencing financial hardship. These include Interlink Foundation, a charity that advocates for and supports the local community; Yad Voezer, which works closely with disabled adults and their families; and Support for All, which assists families and individuals who are struggling financially.
Through these trusted partnerships, organisations refer individuals who would benefit from developing stronger financial management skills and greater financial resilience.
In addition to partner referrals, we also recruit beneficiaries through our existing advice services, including our drop-in sessions, workshops, and one-to-one support appointments. Many of the people who access our housing advice, debt management, and benefits guidance services are encouraged to join SmartSteps to build long-term financial skills and confidence.
We also promote the programme through community networks, word-of-mouth, and local outreach, ensuring the project reaches individuals who may not normally engage with structured financial education programmes.
Because our volunteers have lived experience of poverty and financial hardship, they are well placed to connect with potential participants in a trusted, non-judgmental way. This helps us reach people who may feel hesitant or embarrassed about seeking financial help and ensures that the programme is accessible to those who need it most.
SmartSteps is designed to give participants the knowledge, skills, and confidence to take control of their finances and plan for the future. The program combines group workshops, one-to-one coaching, peer support, and practical exercises, ensuring that learning is hands-on and immediately applicable.
What participants will do:
🏫 Interactive group workshops: Participants work in small groups to explore real-life scenarios—creating budgets, managing unexpected expenses, understanding credit and debt options, and learning practical ways to save. Each session is highly interactive, including discussions, exercises, and case studies drawn from volunteers’ lived experience.
👥 One-to-one financial coaching: Every participant has access to personalized guidance, where a trained coach helps them map out their financial situation, set achievable goals, and identify practical steps to improve resilience. Coaches also follow up to track progress and address ongoing challenges.
🤝 Peer learning circles: Participants come together in safe spaces to discuss their experiences, share strategies, and support each other. This fosters a sense of community and reduces isolation, while reinforcing lessons from workshops and coaching.
🎯 Practical exercises and real-life simulations: Participants practice skills such as prioritizing bills, negotiating payment plans, or planning for major life expenses. These exercises are designed to build confidence in applying knowledge to everyday decisions.
Expected outcomes:
Participants develop clear budgeting and saving strategies tailored to their lives
Increased confidence in making financial decisions
Reduced stress and anxiety around money
Stronger peer support networks
Long-term improvement in financial resilience and stability
By embedding the lived experience of volunteers into every element, SmartSteps not only teaches practical skills but also inspires participants to see that financial stability is achievable. This approach aligns with Aviva’s Financial Wellbeing objectives, focusing on confidence, competence, and control over personal finances.
Why are we crowdfunding?
Many people in Hackney face financial insecurity or lack confidence to manage money effectively. With your support, we aim to raise £25,000 to deliver SmartSteps, providing:
📊 36 interactive group workshops teaching budgeting, saving, and planning skills
📝 60 one-to-one coaching sessions tailored to individual needs
📘 Comprehensive resources to reinforce learning and build long-term habits
📈 Monitoring and evaluation to track progress and measure impact
This funding will allow us to reach more people and create lasting positive change in our community.
How we’ll spend the money raised
Facilitators and Coaching -36 group workshops + 60 one-to-one coaching sessions-£13,200
Workshop Materials & Resources-£2550
Venue Hire -£6000
Marketing and Outreach-£1500
Monitoring and evaluation- £1750
How you can help
💖 Make a donation – Every pledge brings us closer to our £25,000 goal and helps people take control of their money.
📢 Spread the word – Share our project with friends, family, and your wider network to help reach more people.
Communities Fund has provided £18,733 of match funding
Communities Fund Employee Giving has provided £1,760 of match funding
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made