CLARION Futures, the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group which owns and manages more than 900 homes across Basildon, has teamed up with Essex County Council to deliver a new programme to help adults improve their numeracy skills at work and in everyday life.

It comes as 57% of the working age adult population in England are estimated to have low numeracy skills, with three in 10 (31%) saying they are not a "numbers person".

A third (36%) say they would like to improve their maths and numeracy skills and that's where this new project comes in.

Part of a government-funded programme called Multiply, the new initiative will help with budgeting and other core skills, improving Basildon residents' household finances and building their confidence with numbers.

Participants will also be able to gain qualifications as part of the programme, helping them improve their employability and potential at work.

Available free of charge to those aged 19+ without maths GCSE at grade C or equivalent, this programme will be delivered from The Basildon Advice Store.

Set up by Basildon Council in partnership with providers of skills, training and career advice including Clarion Futures, The Advice Store is where local people can come for employability support in a welcoming and accessible space.

Through the Multiply programme, a range of additional support will be on offer, including:

• Better Budgeting Café: a drop-in facility enabling residents to understand their fuel bills and how they can reduce them, as well as providing general advice on how to save money.
• Healthy Eating on a Budget: a course that will teach people how to measure ingredients to produce delicious meals using a slow cooker that can a feed a family of four for less than £5.
• Maths for Work: a six-hour course that will improve mental arithmetic and give people the ability to understand basic data analysis, helping to improve their job prospects.
• Help your children with their maths: a six-hour course for parents with children in primary and secondary school, giving them the skills and confidence they need to help with maths homework.
• Access to qualifications: through virtual 1:1 tutoring, Basildon residents will be able to secure the qualifications needed to access apprenticeships and further educational opportunities.

A recent survey commissioned by Clarion Housing Group and carried out by Opinium highlighted the need for this programme. It found that more than a quarter (28%) of people living in the East of England have no savings to cushion the impact of the cost of living crisis, with more than half (51%) reporting that they are in debt. Improvements in numeracy skills could help address these challenges, putting more money back into the pockets of local people to help them through the cost of living crisis.

Phil Miles, Director of Clarion Futures, said: "Through Clarion Futures we provide practical advice and support, helping thousands of people every year manage their money, reduce debt and increase their financial resilience. By teaming up with Essex County Council, it is our hope that we can support more people to build their confidence with numbers, improve their household finances and job prospects and help them through the cost of living crisis."

Cllr Tony Ball, Essex County Council's Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability, said: "We forget how often we use maths, from measuring out ingredients for a recipe to working out what we can afford to buy, as well as understanding bills and payslips. With budgets getting tighter due to the increased cost of living, it is more important than ever that we are confident in managing our personal finances.

"Engaging with everyday numbers helps demystify maths, and importantly empowers people to support their own children, as well as friends and the wider community. The Multiply programme is a great way for local residents to increase their numeracy skills, helping with everyday life as well as opening up opportunities for career development, and we're delighted to be working with Clarion to deliver it."

To find out more about the programme and sign up, email [email protected].