True Ambassadors Hosts Successful Financial Inclusion Event Supported by Canada Life UK

On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, True Ambassadors held a highly impactful financial inclusion event at Plaistow Community Centre, London. The event featured two remarkable guest speakers: Kristine Agraan, Barclays Local Specialist, and Councillor Susan Masters, Chair of the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee at Newham Council.

This initiative was part of True Ambassadors’ ongoing mission to empower communities by providing practical tools for financial management and encouraging entrepreneurial spirit. Canada Life UK supported the event through the Neighbour Platform. Its sponsorship allowed it to give residents valuable insights and resources.

Kristine Agraan shared expert advice on budgeting strategies, focusing on identifying spending habits, distinguishing between needs and wants, and setting achievable financial goals. Her session equipped attendees with actionable tools to manage their finances better.
Councillor Susan Masters provided an inspiring talk on community service and local politics. She emphasized the importance of active participation in shaping local initiatives. Her insights encouraged attendees to consider how they can contribute to their communities while pursuing personal growth.

The event also included discussions on starting freelance businesses and practical tips for financial planning. Residents left the session feeling empowered and motivated to take control of their finances and explore new opportunities.

Participants at the event took away several key conclusions from the discussions:

Effective Budgeting Strategies: Kristine Agraan, Barclays Local Specialist, emphasized the importance of understanding spending habits and distinguishing between needs and wants. Participants learned to set realistic financial goals and prioritize expenditures to achieve more excellent economic stability.
Starting a Freelance Business: This session provided practical advice on launching a freelance business, including identifying market opportunities, building a personal brand, and navigating initial challenges. Attendees left with actionable steps to explore entrepreneurship as a viable option for economic empowerment.
Community Engagement Through Local Politics: Councillor Susan Masters inspired attendees by highlighting how individuals can actively contribute to their communities through local politics. She shared examples of impactful initiatives. She encouraged participants to engage in decision-making processes that shape their neighborhoods.

The plan is to continue education and support for the community
in various ways. Here are some key initiatives and strategies highlighted in recent guidance and reports:

Community Learning and Development (CLD) Plans: The Scottish Government has committed to supporting community-based adult learning, family learning, youth work, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). These plans aim to remove barriers for vulnerable and marginalized learners while promoting accessible, safe, and inclusive learning environments. The focus is on creating opportunities for employability, improving health outcomes, and addressing digital poverty.community-learning-development-plans-guidance-2024-2027.pdf
Youth Participation in Education and Employment: Local councils are working on improving youth participation by providing targeted support for education, training, and employment. This includes initiatives like the Opportunity Guarantee, which ensures school leavers can access education, training, or employment opportunities. Councils are also advocating for additional resources to support disadvantaged students and apprenticeships. Re-thinking youth participation for the present and next generation: education to employment | Local Government Association
Future of Education Initiatives: Projects like the OECD’s Future of Education and Skills 2030 aim to address long-term educational challenges by exploring innovative approaches. Some examples include hybrid learning models, school climate action plans, and integrating artificial intelligence to enhance teaching and learning experiences. Future of Education and Skills 2030/2040 | OECD Future-of-right-to-education-working-document-en.pdf
These initiatives demonstrate a strong commitment to True Ambassador’s dedication to continuing education and community support while addressing emerging challenges such as digital inclusion, sustainability, and workforce development.

Residents expressed highly positive opinions about the cooperation between Barclays and True Ambassadors. Here are the most notable insights:

Empowerment Through Expertise: Residents appreciated Barclays’ practical and actionable advice on budgeting strategies, delivered by Kristine Agraan. They highlighted how the insights provided helped them better understand their finances and take steps toward achieving financial stability.
Community-Centred Approach: Residents valued True Ambassadors’ commitment to empowering the community, supported by Canada Life UK through the Neighbour Platform. This partnership was seen as a meaningful effort to address local needs and foster growth.
Inspirational Collaboration: The combination of financial education from Barclays and community service insights from Councillor Susan Masters inspired attendees to explore new opportunities. These included starting freelance businesses and engaging in local politics.
Inclusive Environment: The event’s focus on inclusivity and accessibility resonated with participants. They appreciated the welcoming atmosphere and the opportunity to connect with experts and peers.

Overall, Residents praised the collaboration for its ability to provide practical tools while fostering a sense of community and empowerment. Many expressed interest in attending similar events in the future to continue their learning journey.

Councillor Susan Masters discussed several key topics related to community service and local politics. The main points included:

Community Engagement: Councillor Masters emphasised the importance of active participation in local politics to shape communities positively. She encouraged attendees to get involved in decision-making processes that directly impact their neighbourhoods.
Supporting Vulnerable Residents: She highlighted the critical role of local government in safeguarding vulnerable residents. This included addressing issues such as homelessness, poverty, and access to essential services.
Promoting Fairness and Equality: Councillor Masters discussed initiatives to ensure fairness and equality for all residents. This included policies that tackle systemic inequalities and promote inclusive growth.
Building Community Wealth: She shared insights into how local councils are working to foster community wealth-building strategies. These strategies aim to empower residents economically while strengthening local economies.
Encouraging Collaboration: The session underscored the importance of collaboration between residents, local organizations, and government bodies to achieve meaningful change within communities.

Residents appreciated her practical advice and inspiring examples of community-driven initiatives, which motivated them to contribute actively to their communities.

True Ambassadors took the opportunity to celebrate March birthdays during the event, complete with cake for all to share. This thoughtful gesture further reinforced the sense of community and belonging among attendees.

True Ambassadors thanked Canada Life UK for its support, Barclays for its partnership, and the guest speakers for their invaluable contributions. This event underscored True Ambassadors’ commitment to empowering communities through initiatives like this one.
Overall, the event fostered a sense of empowerment among residents. It equipped them with tools to manage their finances effectively, pursue entrepreneurial ventures, and make meaningful contributions to their communities. True Ambassadors remains committed to creating opportunities like this to support community growth and development.