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Module 1

This includes the Powerpoint from the in-person session, and an e-learning module.

Use these materials to help you complete assignment 1.

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Module 2.

Below you will find the e-learning and links to resources to help with the assignment

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To be covered by Tutors in Session 2 - 2nd June 2026

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Create courses and launch trainings in just a few clicks!

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Do you save money regularly (At least once a month)?

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Create courses and launch trainings in just a few clicks!

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Create courses and launch trainings in just a few clicks!

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Module 4 Consumer Council E-learning for OCNNI endorsed course on Safer Financed

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Create courses and launch trainings in just a few clicks!

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Find out more about their role and services

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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Make your finances fitter | Consumer Council

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You can take action to make your finances fitter and your money go further.

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This is the powerpoint that was used to deliver lesson 1 of the course.

Consumer Council and our role in financial services

Course Structure and Learning Criteria

Icebreaker

What is meant by Safer Finances

Income and expenditure

Forms of authorised credit

Budgeting

Types of interest and credit scoring

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Module 1 Powerpoint - Introduction and Overview

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This is the course workbook. You will download this workbook and type all of your answers into this an submit at the agreed timeframes.

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Safer Finances OCNNI Assessment Workbook

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This the an e-learning course for lesson 1 that must be completed. This does not form part of your assessments but will help you further develop your understanding of course content.

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Create courses and launch trainings in just a few clicks!

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This document sets out the lesson schedule, including content covered, venue for in-person session and dates that assignments are due

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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Lending, Savings & Debt Research: Northern Ireland Consumers | Consumer Council

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The Consumer Council is funded by HM Treasury to address the issue of illegal money lending in Northern Ireland. The focus of our work is research, education and supporting the development of alternatives forms of lending. This study explored the opinions, thoughts and experiences of consumers in Northern Ireland about financial matters concerning lending, savings and debt.

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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Christians Against Poverty research into illegal lending in Northern Ireland | Consumer Council

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, as part of its Stop the Loan Sharks campaign and to obtain information to inform future discussion and the direction of any future policy in this area, commissioned Christians Against Poverty (CAP) to help, with others, to provide a clearer picture of the position in Northern Ireland – firstly, to help establish if illegal lending is going on and, if it is, the extent of such lending, the areas in which it is happening and any patterns or fluctuations in lending and borrowing behaviours which can be ascertained.

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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The legal powers and duties we have that enable us to protect consumers.

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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How we can help with your complaint | Consumer Council

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If you have an unresolved complaint about energy, water, transport or postal services in Northern Ireland, we may be able to help. Our service is free to use.

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This webpage provides information on illegal money such as what is illegal money lending, how to check if your lender is operating legally and how to report illegal money lending.

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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I am worried about illegal lending | Consumer Council

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If you have already borrowed from someone you believe is not licensed to lend, there is help and guidance available.

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Ending the Harm Campaign: Illegal Money Lending advertisement

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Ending the Harm Campaign: Illegal Money Lending advertisement

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Ending The Harm- Illegal Money Lending- Department of Justice

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Ending The Harm - Northern Ireland campaign to stop the harm from illegal money lending.

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PARAMILITARY GANGS CONTROL OUR COMMUNITIES WITH VIOLENCE, INTIMIDATION AND DRUG DEALING.PARAMILITARY GANGSGROOM CHILDREN AND FORCE THEM TO SELL DRUGS.PARAMILITARY GANGS FORCE CHILDREN INTO VIOLENCE, STEALING THEIR CHILDHOOD.PARAMILITARY GANGS EXPLOIT HARD-WORKING LOCAL BUSINESSES.PARAMILITARY GANGS ROB HARD-EARNED MONEY FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES.PARAMILITARY GANGS ABUSE AND CONTROL WOMEN AND GIRLS.

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Choosing the right current account for you

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Choosing the right current account for you

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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Choosing the right current account | Consumer Council

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There are many current accounts available with different benefits. Choose the right one for you.

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) is a form of credit which allows you to buy something and pay for it at a later date.

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Debt Talk: Indebted with buy now pay later products

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Help to Save Scheme for those on Universal Credit

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Help to Save Scheme for those on Universal Credit

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Help to Save is a type of savings account. It allows certain people entitled to Working Tax Credit or receiving Universal Credit to get a bonus of 50p for every £1 they save over 4 years.

Help to Save is backed by the government so all savings in the scheme are secure.

How payments work

You can save between £1 and £50 each calendar month. You do not have to pay money in every month.

You can pay money into your Help to Save account by debit card, standing order or bank transfer.

You can pay in as many times as you like, but the most you can pay in each calendar month is £50. For example, if you have saved £50 by 8 January you will not be able to pay in again until 1 February.

You can only withdraw money from your Help to Save account to your bank account.

How bonuses work

You get bonuses at the end of the second and fourth years. They're based on how much you've saved.

What happens after 4 years

Your Help to Save account will close 4 years after you open it. You will not be able to reopen it or open another Help to Save account. You'll be able to keep the money from your account.

You can close your account at any time. If you close your account early you'll miss your next bonus and you will not be able to open another one.

Sign in

Sign in to your Help to Save account if you already have one.

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Get help with savings if you're on a low income (Help to Save)

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Help to Save is a type of savings account. It allows certain people entitled to Working Tax Credit or receiving Universal Credit to get a bonus of 50p for every £1 they save over 4 years. Help to Save is backed by the government so all savings in the scheme are secure.

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Information on budgeting

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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Ways to budget better; helping you spend less and save more.

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The PSNI Illegal Money Lending webpage gives more information on how you can report Illegal Money Lending.

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What is Illegal Money Lending /Predatory Lending?The law says that anyone who wants to lend money must be authorised & regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Lending money without the proper authorisation is a crime, but borrowing money from an illegal lender is not a crime.

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Budget Planner | Free online budget planning tool | MoneyHelper

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Discover our free online MoneyHelper Budget Planner calculator to gain a better understanding of your money coming in and out, and how to improve your finances.

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Moneyhelper Options for Borrowing Money Webpage

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Moneyhelper Options for Borrowing Money Webpage

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The Banking Protocol: Why banks & other financial institution staff ask you personal questions

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England Illegal Money Lending Team BBC Newsnight Report

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England Illegal Money Lending Team BBC Newsnight Report

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The loan sharks profiting from the pain of soaring prices - BBC Newsnight

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Get help and support when in financial difficulty

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Get help and support when in financial difficulty

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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Give your finances some first aid. Get free help and support with money issues including debt, borrowing and illegal lending.

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Find ATM, Banking services, Bank Branches and Banking Hubs near you

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Find ATM, Banking services, Bank Branches and Banking Hubs near you

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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Access to Banking Services in Northern Ireland | Consumer Council

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Our latest research on access to banking services in Northern Ireland has shown that Northern Ireland has lost 27% of its total bank branch network in less than three years.

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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Options for paying for things and the level of consumer protect you have if something goes wrong.

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Find your local Credit Union: Irish League of Credit Unions

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Find your local Credit Union: Irish League of Credit Unions

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Credit Union Locator - Find Your Credit Union

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Use our search tool to find your nearest credit union in order to become a member or get a loan.

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Find your local Credit Union: Ulster Federation of Credit Unions

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Find your local Credit Union: Ulster Federation of Credit Unions

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What is a Credit Union: Irish League of Credit Unions

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What is a Credit Union: Irish League of Credit Unions

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A credit union is a group of people, connected by a 'common bond' based on the area they live in, the occupation they work in, or the employer they work for, who save together and lend to each other at a fair and reasonable rate of interest. Credit unions offer members the chance to have control over their own finances by making their own savings work for them. Every credit union is owned by its members - the people who save with it and borrow from it.

Credit unions exist only to serve members - not to profit from their needs. Surplus income generated is returned to the members by way of a dividend and/or is directed to improved or additional services for members. Members' savings are used to fund loans to other credit-worthy members of the credit union. So, the money in a credit union always remains in the local community or 'common bond' that the credit union serves.

How does a credit union work?

Members save with their credit union and create a communal pool of money available to be used for providing loans to other members. Interest charged on loans to members generates an income for the credit union. Any additional savings not lent out to members can be invested to return a further income to the credit union. From this income, the credit union pays any operational expenses. Any remaining income is referred to as the credit union surplus and funds the dividend paid on members' shares and/or is directed to improved or additional services for members. Credit unions may also choose to pay a loan interest rebate, which is a refund of loan interest paid to all members who borrowed during the preceding financial year.

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About Credit Unions - The Irish League of Credit Unions

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Credit unions provide the essential funding that's the lifeblood of any thriving community.

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What is a Credit Union: Ulster Federation of Credit Unions

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What is a Credit Union: Ulster Federation of Credit Unions

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How to join a Credit Union: Irish League of Credit Unions

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How to join a Credit Union: Irish League of Credit Unions

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Firstly, in order to join a credit union, you need to hold what is known as the 'common bond'. For most credit unions, the 'common bond' is the area where members live - potential members will need to live or work within a local area. This is known as a community based credit union. For other credit unions, the 'common bond' might be the occupation members work in, the employer they work for or perhaps, members are drawn from a society or association. The 'common bond' is what enables members to know and trust one another.

Once you have identified the appropriate credit union within your 'common bond', be that where you live or work, opening an account is straightforward and convenient. You will need;

Evidence of Identification

A current, valid Passport or,

A current, valid Drivers' Licence or,

A current, valid National ID Card (for NI only)

Evidence of Address

A Utility Bill or

A Local Authority Document or

An Official Document for a Government Body or

A Bank/Building Society Statement dated within the last three months

Evidence of PPS Number (RoI)

You may also be asked for evidence of your PPS number. For example a document from the Department of Social Protection of the Revenue Commissioners.

You can also contact your local credit union if you are interested in joining to find out about their membership requirements. You can find details for your local credit union using the credit union locator. Once you are a credit union member, you can avail of a range of safe and secure savings services, as well as straightforward and affordable loan services.

To see why credit unions were awarded the most trusted financial in Ireland in 2021 check out more information here.

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About Credit Unions - The Irish League of Credit Unions

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Credit unions provide the essential funding that's the lifeblood of any thriving community.

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The last in person session will take place on the 23rd of June 2026.

Location - Bryson Resource Centre, Duncairn Gardens, Belfast.

Time - 10am - 12pm

In this session we will review signposting and complete an evaluation of the course. You will also be issued preliminary certificates.

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Open College Network Northern Ireland Training Policy