For host sites
Host a session
A room with a screen, and about an hour. We bring the laptop, the slides and two trained students. There is no cost to you and none to the people who attend.
Who can host
Most of our sessions happen at:
- Public libraries
- Senior centers and senior living communities
- Community centers
- Churches and other places of worship
- Residents' associations and neighbourhood groups
If your group meets somewhere that is not on that list, ask anyway. We would rather hear from you and say we cannot make it than miss a group that needed us.
What you provide
- A screen or television we can plug a laptop into. The session is built around a slideshow, and this is the one thing we cannot bring with us. Worth checking before you pick a room.
- A room with chairs, and somewhere to plug in
- A date and a time
- Letting your regulars know it is happening — a notice or a mention at your usual meeting is usually enough
What we provide
- Two trained student volunteers
- A laptop and an HDMI cable
- The whole session, start to finish
How to book
- Email us. Send a note to Oliver.futurefinance@gmail.com.
- Tell us the basics. Where you are, roughly how many people you expect, and a few dates that would work.
- We match you to a chapter. We put you in touch with the student team that covers your area.
- We agree the details. Which topics you want, timing, and anything your group needs.
What to put in your first email
Copying this list into an email is enough to get started:
- The name and address of your venue
- Roughly how many people you expect
- Two or three dates that would suit you
- Which topics interest your group most — scams, online safety, or everyday money
- Anything we should know about the room or the group
Questions coordinators usually ask
What does it cost?
Nothing. There is no fee, no expenses, and no collection. We do not ask the host site for money and we do not ask attendees for money.
Are you selling something?
No. We do not represent a bank, an insurer, or any company, and nobody will be pitched anything. We do not collect contact details from people who attend.
How long does it take?
Thirty to forty-five minutes, plus questions. Booking the room for an hour is usually about right.
Who actually turns up?
Two high school students from your area, trained to run the session.
Will your paperwork be a problem?
No. If your site has its own requirements for visiting volunteers — an application form, a background check, a code of conduct, an orientation — tell us when you book and we will complete it. We would rather do your paperwork than ask you to make an exception for us.
Do the students come on their own?
Yes. Two trained high school volunteers run the session themselves; nobody from our side attends as a chaperone. High school age is our minimum for volunteers.
If your site needs an adult present for a visiting group, say so when you get in touch and we will work out what is possible before anything is booked.
How much notice do you need?
About two weeks is comfortable, but that is a suggestion rather than a rule. If your group meets sooner than that and you want a session, ask anyway — we would rather try to make it work than turn you down over a date.
Do you need a big group?
No, and there is no maximum either. We have run these for a handful of people around one table and for a full room. Smaller groups tend to ask more questions, which usually makes for a better session.
Can you come back?
Yes. Plenty of groups book the topics separately over a few months rather than all at once. Ask us when you book.
What if we need to cancel?
Just let us know as early as you can. It happens, and there is no penalty.
Is the session accessible?
Tell us what your group needs and we will work with it — speaking slowly, larger print on the slides, a microphone if your room has one, or sitting closer to the group in a smaller space. If someone attending needs something specific, mention it when you book.