Freshers’ fairs are usually about meeting new people, discovering what college life has to offer and, occasionally, trying to work out how on earth you’re supposed to fit everything into your timetable.
But for Wave Community Bank, they’re also a great opportunity to have some important conversations about something that affects everyone: money.
This year, our team headed out to three East Sussex College Freshers’ Fairs, visiting students in Eastbourne, Ore and Hastings. And what a few days they were!
Across all three events, we had the chance to meet hundreds of students, chat about financial wellbeing and introduce young people to the services and support available through their local credit union.
Money conversations without the boring bits
Starting college can bring plenty of new experiences and, for many young people, it can also be the first time they’re properly responsible for their own money.
That might mean managing a student budget, paying bills, saving for something they want, dealing with unexpected expenses or simply trying to make their money last until payday.
We were there to show students that they don’t have to figure all of that out alone. We heard from many students who were already worried about juggling their finances alongside studying, and it was rewarding to be able to give guidance that could help them feel more in control.
As a local, not-for-profit credit union, Wave Community Bank offers a range of financial services designed around people rather than profit. That includes savings, affordable loans and support to help people build better financial habits.
Our message was simple: there are safe, ethical and local alternatives when you need financial support. And yes, we talked about loan sharks too
Not every conversation about money is an easy one.
Young people can be particularly vulnerable to people offering quick cash when money is tight, and that’s why we also used the fairs as an opportunity to raise awareness of loan sharks and illegal money lending.
Loan sharks can appear friendly and helpful at first, but borrowing from an illegal lender can quickly become frightening, expensive and difficult to escape.
We want young people to know that needing financial help isn’t something to be embarrassed about. The important thing is knowing where to turn for legitimate support.
Talking about these issues early can make a real difference. Sometimes, simply knowing that an alternative exists can stop someone from making a decision that could cause problems further down the line.
More than just a careers or freshers’ fair
Alongside the entertainment, the fairs also gave students the chance to connect with charities, local organisations, and support services covering everything from mental health, sexual health, gambling awareness and wellbeing to financial guidance. One of the best things about the East Sussex College events was seeing so many organisations all in one place.
Each campus put on something different – from mini golf, VR machines, mechanical bull rides to live animals and a silent disco – creating a buzzing and memorable start for students.
A huge thank you to East Sussex College. We’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone at East Sussex College who helped organise the three Freshers’ Fairs in Eastbourne, Ore and Hastings.
Putting events like these together takes a huge amount of work, and the organisation, enthusiasm and welcome from the teams at each campus were fantastic.
Thank you for inviting us along and giving us the opportunity to speak directly with students about money, saving, borrowing and financial wellbeing.
We’d also like to thank all the other businesses, charities, organisations and support services who took part. It’s brilliant to see so many people working together to support young people across our local community.
Taking financial wellbeing into the community
We genuinely believe financial wellbeing isn’t something that should only be talked about when someone is already struggling.
The earlier people learn about saving, responsible borrowing and the risks associated with high-cost and illegal lending, the better equipped they are to make informed decisions later in life.
That’s why events like the East Sussex College Freshers’ Fairs are so important to us. We get to meet young people where they are, answer questions, bust a few money myths, warn them about predatory lenders, and, hopefully, make talking about finances feel a little less daunting.
Because building financial resilience can start at any age. And if we can help a few more young people understand that their local credit union is here when they need us, then that’s a pretty successful day out in our book.
