Young Rochdale dad Michael Heywood in bank drama

Michael Heywood will share his new found financial acumen with banking bosses at Canary Wharf

Young Rochdale dad Michael Heywood is about to share his new found financial acumen with banking bosses at Canary Wharf.

The father of two will stage a play for senior leaders at Barclays Bank portraying how hard life can be for young and jobless youths. And the 18 year-old will also celebrate a scheme that has helped him live independently and provide for his son and daughter.

Much travelled Michael is one of many students at Rochdale charity Rathbone to benefit from the Barclays Money Skills “champions” scheme. This innovative programme has helped local youngsters learn to budget properly and de-mystified banking.

Michael said: “It surprises me that young people know so little about things like bank loans, overdrafts and standing orders. Maybe it’s because I’ve lived on my own since being 16 that I’ve picked this stuff up. It is all about priorities and not wasting money.”

Designed to build the money management skills of young people aged 16-25, the programme encourages those who complete it to pass on their sound money sense to others. Michael has been praised by tutors at Rathbone for his mentoring skills. Barclays Money Skills 'champions' has even helped him cut-down on his smoking – after he found out how much he was spending on cigarettes.

Michael will face financial chiefs on Monday 11 November in a play produced by the Odd Theatre Company. Created by the young people at improvisation sessions, Odd Theatre Director, Hannah Russell, describes it as: “Steeped in realism. Our performance is designed to show the audience what issues young people face and how difficult it can be to manage money. It is an opportunity and a platform for Michael and the other young people involved.”

Having lived in the South, Michael is one of the only participants to have visited London before. He can also lay claim to being the most experienced performer – having appeared in a pantomime when he resided in Northampton and done some stand-up. He will be joined by Kirkholt student, Jade Reilly (19) plus Rathbone students from Manchester and Oldham.

Michael concluded: “Barclays Money Skills 'champions' is a good little course and if I don’t become a chef, I might go into banking or finance. It does worry me that young people don’t even know what the Citizen’s Advice Bureau does or how to manage money. No wonder they end up spiralling into debt.”