An increasing number of young adults in the UK are taking control of their financial futures through investment, spurred by financial education programs offered by organizations like NatWest.

Filling a Knowledge Gap

These programs are filling a critical gap in knowledge, as many young people never received financial guidance at home and are set to become a compulsory part of the school curriculum. Nearly 70% of young adults report that investing was never discussed within their families during their upbringing.

Jasmine’s Story

Jasmine Amadori, an 18-year-old student from Nottingham, embodies a growing trend among young people in the UK: proactive financial planning. While preparing for university – aiming for a sports science degree at the University of Birmingham – Jasmine diligently invests a significant portion of her monthly allowance into an investment account.

Her goal isn't immediate gratification, but rather long-term financial security, specifically saving for a house and a car. This foresight stemmed from a financial education course at her local youth club, where she learned the difference between saving and investing.

NatWest’s Expanding Initiative

NatWest is significantly expanding these initiatives, having already reached over a million young people across the UK with vital financial literacy programs. The courses focus on core money management skills – budgeting, saving, and daily financial management – alongside investment principles.

Interactive Learning & Scam Awareness

The curriculum employs interactive methods like simulated stock market investments, allowing participants to experience market fluctuations in a safe environment. Crucially, the programs also educate young people about the dangers of investment scams, and each participant leaves with a personalized financial action plan.

Jasmine’s story highlights the impact of this education, transforming her understanding of financial tools and inspiring her to plan beyond immediate needs. She intends to dedicate her investment returns to supporting homeless children, demonstrating a socially conscious approach to wealth building.

Financial Literacy in Schools

The growing emphasis on financial literacy is further underscored by upcoming changes to the national curriculum. From 2028, financial literacy will become a compulsory subject in all primary and secondary schools in England.

Collaborative Learning Environment

Adam Breen, leading NatWest’s Thrive program, emphasizes the program’s collaborative learning environment, where young people can discuss and learn from their peers, exploring not just how to save and budget, but why they want to save. He notes these skills are universally beneficial.

Solange Chamberlain, CEO of NatWest’s retail bank, reinforces this point, stating that financial confidence is essential not only for individual well-being but also for the long-term economic growth of the UK. A recent NatWest survey of 5,000 people revealed that over half believe they would have been more likely to invest had they received financial education before the age of 18.