A Coventry teenager has launched a new education company which aims to teach school children about savings, investment and property.
Kennedy Campbell, 19, officially launched ‘Skint2Mint’ at an event in the brand new ‘Coventry Lounge’ at Coventry Building Society Arena – with pupils from local schools, regional business leaders and dignitaries in attendance.
He has been backed by Coventry Building Society in launching the company and its toolkit, and the event was the first ever external event hosted in the Coventry Lounge.
The Coventry Lounge is a new meeting and events space at the Arena which has been created by naming-rights partner Coventry Building Society using its visual identity.
Skint2Mint is a community interest company which aims to help young people build a better understanding of money and finance.
Kennedy has created a Skint2Mint card game which is used as a tool to educate young people and help them to think more about money, saving and owning a house.
Prior to the official launch, Kennedy had been taking his toolkit to primary schools in Coventry and has already worked with more than 350 pupils across 10 schools.
Eight children from the schools he has worked with to-date were in attendance at the event, with Cllr John McNicholas, Lord Mayor of Coventry, Louise Bennett, Chief Executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and mentor Steve Hughes, CEO of Coventry Building Society, also among the guests.
Guests were encouraged to share their money mistakes with the young people in attendance and Kennedy discussed his plans for the future of Skint2Mint – including spreading the toolkit nationally, creating a new app and campaigning for a BTEC Money qualification to be introduced to school curriculums.
Kennedy said: “It was exciting to finally be able to officially launch Skint2Mint after a year of work to put the foundations in place.
“I came up with the idea in lockdown and thought it was something that would really help young people.
“We’ve had great feedback in the schools we have been to and it was great to see some of the pupils at our official launch at Coventry Building Society Arena.
“It’s really important that young people are financial literate and it is our mission through Skint2Mint to do that, with the aim to eventually spread our programme nationally.”
The welcoming space at the Coventry Lounge is accessible for all and aims to bring around 1,000 people together each month to collaborate, learn and have fun through workshops, meetings and networking events
The room features an ‘All Together, Better’ wall of photographs and images celebrating the people and communities Coventry Building Society works in, and versatile furniture which can be configured for a wide range of events.
The Coventry Lounge is environmentally friendly from a bench made out of 1,100 recycled milk carton, carbon neutral flooring, chairs and tables made of recycled material and energy efficient lighting.
Anna Cuskin, Corporate Responsibility manager at Coventry Building Society, said “We’re proud to have hosted Skint2Mint’s launch event at the new Coventry Lounge and applaud the campaign’s drive in educating young people in the city to learn about money.
“Kennedy’s passion to making a difference in and around Coventry reflects our own values as a business.
“We’re supporting local people by opening our doors and providing a collaborative space – and in Kennedy’s case, we’re also supporting him through a mentoring programme from our chief executive, showing our commitment to this excellent initiative.”
Paul Michael, Commercial Director at Coventry Building Society Arena, said: “The new Coventry Lounge is a fantastic, versatile new space and is the ideal venue for a medium-sized meeting, seminar or social event.
“Skint2Mint’s launch is a perfect example of how the space can be utilised and we wish Kennedy the best of luck with the venture.
“Our team has worked in partnership with Coventry Building Society to deliver a room which is sustainable, accessible and reflects the community values of Coventry Building Society.”
Visit www.skint2mint.org.uk for more information on the scheme.
To find out more about The Coventry Lounge at Coventry Building Society Arena visit https://www.cbsarena.co.uk/venue-hire/coventry-lounge/
PICTURE CAPTION: From left to right - Kennedy Campbell, Cllr John McNicholas, Lord Mayor of Coventry and Steve Hughes, CEO of Coventry Building Society.