What is Credit Youth?
The Credit Youth fund will offer access to up to a maximum of £45.60 per month per person (the cost of the UK average mobile phone contract) on the understanding that any funds offered will help individuals cope with external pressures so they can continue to achieve positive purpose in their life, as defined by young people themselves. While only the Government has the resource to deal with rising fuel and food costs, we can do something to support young people to cover other necessities – thus the focus in Credit Youth on basic assistance to cover the cost of a monthly mobile phone bill or equivalent, recognising the importance for young people to stay positively connected and focused at this time. The investment is based on trust and belief in young people's value to bring good to life.
How will Credit Youth work?
The fund will be paid to young people in advance over periods of 4 months, subject to ongoing need monitored through a conversation with the individual before each payment. Young people are invited to ask for whatever they need to cover their chosen bill, up to a monthly cap of £45.60. The only requirements to access the fund are:
- Evidence to prove someone’s monthly contract fee (either from a contract or bank statement)
- Confirmation of what an individual hopes to continue focusing on to achieve purpose in their life – eg, any particular project, enterprise or activity they are involved in or aim to be involved in, for which assistance with financial pressures will offer support;
- Agreement from the individual to engage in a 4 monthly review to reflect on the impact gained from the assistance.
InspireChilli is committed to support Credit Youth for a trial period of 12 months, benefiting a small cohort of young people overcoming social disadvantages who have some existing relationship with InspireChilli’s work (either through InspireChilli's Team Young People initiative or a partner project where young people are seeking to overcome experiences of disadvantage through their enterprise and talents).
How will a donation support impact?
Money donated to Credit Youth will be directly matched by InspireChilli to double its impact and reach. The initial funding target seeks to provide meaningful credit to support a cohort of at least 5 young people, rising up to 10 or more should the stretch target be met. Impact on these young people will include supporting their mental wellbeing, sustaining positive belief, and assisting them to make progress with personal goals. While the beneficiary number is low, learning from Credit Youth will be used to influence others of the virtue in making future grants like this, promoted as positive forms of investment to release potential rather than being negatively presented as ‘hand outs’. In the longer term, Credit Youth can help many other young people benefit from positive investments in their potential.
How can you help to credit youth?
Please visit the Credit Youth crowdfunding page before the end of October to leave your support - see https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/credityouth
