Support often focuses on one-to-one relationships between counsellor and client. Complementary to this individual counselling, group work offers a number of
a number of opportunities that are difficult to realise through individual counselling.
A guide to setting up and running group work sessions on budgeting skills
This script for setting up and running group work sessions on budgeting skills is the result of a powerful collaboration between research, education and the field of practice.
The script contains twelve sessions designed to teach and reinforce budgeting skills in groups. These sessions cover a range of topics: organising administration, budgeting income and expenses, buying products, understanding legal issues, preparing healthy and affordable meals, saving energy and dealing with advertising and temptation. In addition, there are two sessions that focus more on the individual: one on assertiveness and communication, and one on the impact of low income on well-being. The necessary teaching and work materials for each session have been developed and included in the script.
Referring clients to group work or budget courses is not obvious. This is why the script includes useful tips on how to do this. For example, you can read about who to invite, how to address clients and how to organise a welcome meeting. The script also offers tips on creating a positive group climate, practical points to consider and aftercare.