Consumer Council Launches Consumer Skills For Life
25 June 2009
The Consumer Council is today launching their new education resource ‘Consumer Skills for Life’. It is the first consumer resource in Northern Ireland that has been developed to help the one in four adults with low literacy and numeracy skills herea. It is designed for adult education tutors and staff who are working on family and health projects in the community and voluntary sectors.
Carol Edwards, Head of Education at the Consumer Council said, “Whether it’s paying our bills or checking our change at the till, we all use numbers on a daily basis. But some people struggle to do the kind of basic sums that are essential to everyday living. Consumer Skills for Life will help tutors raise awareness of money issues and consumer rights and responsibilities among their learners. Empowered consumers can save on average £219 per yearb by knowing their consumer rights. That’s a lot of money that could make all the difference when it comes to paying your weekly or monthly bills.
“Tutors using this pack can teach people the skills to:
• Work out their family budget and make savings;
• Compare costs and credit prices for buying goods like furniture; and
• Make a complaint in person, on the phone and by letter.”
Tutors can request a free copy of Consumer Skills for Life from the Consumer Council by phoning 028 9067 2488 or downloading a copy from the website www.consumercouncil.org.uk. Everything in the pack can be photocopied.
