Young people supported at residential children’s home Cherry House in Lancashire have been learning about the cost of living challenges faced by many across the UK currently.
The four children who live at the home, which is part of Keys, took part in an “Energy Crisis Challenge”. The challenge saw them each being given a budget to spend on essential living costs such as electricity, hot water, heating and travel.
The home supports four boys, aged between 7 and 13. Graded ‘Outstanding’ by regulator Ofsted, the home offers therapeutic support and care for younger children.
Their ‘budget’ was made up of Monopoly-style money which they could choose to spend on time watching TV, playing a games console, using the internet, hot water for showers or baths, travel and other day-to-day activities which all cost money to do.
Wayne Ralphs, Manager at Cherry House, said: “The idea came out of one of our weekly children’s meetings that we have as a house and we spoke to the children about what they thought things like running a games console or TV cost for two hours.
“Over the course of the three days, the children really did gain an insight into how much these basic things we take for granted really cost and if we choose to do one thing, what other things we might not be able to do as a result.
“These are invaluable life skills which hopefully they will be able to take onwards into their adult lives and when they are living independently.
“They all did really well and thought really hard about how they could save money and resources, but did so in what was a fun and educational way. As a reward for their hard work, we enjoyed a lovely tea out. We were really proud of everyone’s efforts.”
