Money Guiders Case Study - Gemma Slater

The Money Guiders Network is a free UK-wide programme designed to help individuals and organisations develop the skills and confidence to have effective conversations about money. Aimed at professionals whose role involves supporting others with money-related challenges, the service provides practical tools to find information, explore options and access support for any kind of money matter.

Gemma first encountered Money Guiders while working on another Reed in Partnership programme. She explained how the resources and guidance available through Money Guiders England has enabled her to better support her clients, while also helping her navigate her own financial circumstances. Gemma shared:

“I first encountered Money Guiders when I started working on the Midlife MOT program in 2023. I was never very good with my own finances, which is a bit nerve wracking when you’re supporting others with theirs!”

Motivated to improve both her knowledge and confidence, Gemma completed the Money Guiders Foundation course and tier 3 courses.

“I hoped I’d teach myself something, and I did. It meant that I grew more confident, and I learnt so much more about money than I’ve ever learnt before. So it wasn’t just for my job, it helped me personally as well.”

Alongside improving her own financial wellbeing, Gemma became passionate about helping others build financial confidence. Throughout the programme, she developed a stronger understanding of money guidance and began applying what she learned every day in her role.

“My relationship with Money Guiders has continued to grow, because I literally use it every day in my job role. I’ve been able to shape my own finances, grow more confident with money and then share that confidence with other people too.”

As an active member of the network, Gemma regularly engages with the resources, webinars, and information sessions available to her. She selects events based on what she feels will have the greatest impact on the people around her.

“I use the Knowledge Hub, but the biggest one for me is the different webinars and information sessions. I learned so much from those. If it’s something that I know will benefit one of my customers, benefit myself, or benefit a family member, I’m all over it.”

Even when she cannot attend, Gemma requests resources from the sessions and shares this knowledge with colleagues and partner organisations.

“If I can’t make a session, the team is always more than happy to share notes, slides and recordings. There’s always something to learn.

“I make sure I share information with my team and the rest of the offices we support. I’m always passing on useful resources and insights from the sessions I’ve attended.”

She went on to speak about the positive difference the service has made to her customers, highlighting the value of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) guidance in helping people navigate the benefits system and access support.

“The PIP form was fantastic; it taught me so much more about PIP. I often get asked (especially being a debt advisor), about tapping into benefits. I received guidance on how to complete a PIP form, and it’s been phenomenal.

“People often get refused, whereas 9 times out of 10, my customers are now accepted because they’ve filled out the form correctly, first time.”

Reflecting on her experience, Gemma says every session leaves her with something useful to take forward.

“I’ve never come away from a session thinking it was a waste of time. I’ve always learned something new, even when it’s a topic I’ve covered before. It’s that feeling of satisfaction knowing you’ve attended a really good session, learned something new, and that what you’ve learned is going to help other people as well.

“Everyone is always so lovely, they share lots of ideas and promote things, it’s just great. It’s a lovely community.”

For Gemma, Money Guiders has been much more than a professional development programme. It has improved her own financial confidence, strengthened her ability to support customers, and connected her with a community of people committed to helping others make informed financial decisions.