Three-year funding boost enables Clean Slate to expand support for Gloucestershire residents facing financial insecurity.

Clean Slate Training & Employment, through its money guidance initiative Quids in!, has received funding from the Barnwood Trust for a three-year project to expand its services in Gloucestershire. The programme aims to help people maximise their income and reduce outgoings, creating immediate financial “wins” as well as building long-term money management skills and resilience. 

Supporting residents through accessible drop-ins

The funding will enable Clean Slate to continue and further develop its Quids in! drop-in services across Gloucestershire. These services provide a vital, accessible space where low-income residents, particularly those with mental health conditions and/or disabilities, can receive support with money management, employment, and digital skills.  

At the drop-ins, people can access light-touch support, including help with urgent enquiries, referrals to specialist services, and a slew of Quids in! guides and resources. For those who want more in-depth support, residents can also sign up for personalised guidance from a Quids in! Coach, either in person at a drop-in or over the phone. 

Tailored coaching for lasting change 

Quids in! Coaches tailor their guidance to the needs of the individual, adapting the pace, content and accessibility requirements. By building trust and using active listening, Coaches focus on upskilling and empowering people to access the tools, knowledge, and confidence people need to manage their money. and  take control of their finances, explore employment or better work, and develop confidence online.

Peer support training opportunities

Participants can also join Clean Slate’s 12-week peer Elements programme, which provides comprehensive training in Information, Advice and Guidance. Peer Workers can gain paid experience through roles at the drop-ins, developing a current CV alongside valuable earnings. 

These Peer Workers are experts by lived experience. Their first hand understanding of financial hardship, disability, and mental health challenges means they bring deep insight into the realities people face. This makes them uniquely placed not only to deliver support with empathy and authenticity, but also to help shape, refine and strengthen the programme itself.

“Peer support is at the heart of what we do,” explains Clean Slate’s Head of Programmes, Emmie Jenkins-Hill. “By involving participants in delivering the service, we’re not only empowering them but also fostering a sense of community ownership. It’s a win-win for individuals and the local area. We absolutely recognise the importance of not only local knowledge, but also what it’s like to struggle financially. Expertise, built through lived experience.”

At the end of the programme, participants are supported to apply for internal roles or to move into external employment opportunities.

A vision for fair opportunity 

By expanding its work in Gloucestershire, Clean Slate is helping ensure that people on low-incomes, especially those with disabilities and/or mental health conditions, have fair, equal access to the support and opportunities they need to thrive.

Residents with a Gloucestershire postcode can self-refer, and local organisations are also welcome to refer people into the service. Click here to access the referral form or contact our team directly via email at glos@cleanslateltd.co.uk or by phone on 01453 796050.