MPower
JOURNEY
MPower supports individuals and families to manage their money by: • enabling access to internet and phone banking facilities, with or without support from staff • helping members to overcome everyday financial struggles through ongoing family support • equipping members with knowledge and skills around budgeting, debt reduction, banking, wealth creation and bill payments • providing support and advice around smart purchasing options, as well as understanding terms and conditions of purchase.
MPower is a Cape York Welfare Reform (CYWR) initiative and operates out of the O-Hubs in the four communities of Aurukun, Coen, Hope Vale and Mossman Gorge.
MEMBERSHIP
TOTAL MPOWER MEMBERS 2018 TO 2020
TOTAL MEMBERS
1200
2,554 people had become MPower members at some point by the end of December. Of these, 2,128 (83%) are still
800
current members. This represents a very large proportion of all adults (15+ years) living in the four CYWR communities.1
400 0
41% of members who have joined since April 2014 have
been self- or family/friend-referred: people are spreading the good word about the help that MPower can give.
JUN
2018
Aurukun
DEC
JUN
Coen
DEC
2019
JUN
Hope Vale
2020
DEC
Mossman Gorge
HOW DOES MPOWER HELP MEMBERS TO IMPROVE THEIR FINANCIAL LITERACY? INTERNET AND PHONE BANKING, SELF-SERVICE AREA
FINANCIAL LITERACY AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT
Members can come to the O-Hub at any time to use the selfservice area for internet and phone banking. O-Hub staff members are always available to assist and encourage members to build their internet and phone banking skills.
MPower members visit an O-Hub, where they can talk to staff about their needs and are directed towards the appropriate support/s to improve their financial literacy and behaviour.
636 members used the self-service area 2,600 times
3,538 visits by 787 members to participate in 4,333 activities to improve money management.
between July–December.
General support – general advice around basic financial matters.
TOTAL MPOWER ACTIVITIES2 JULY–DECEMBER 2020
Budget – supports members to draft their own budgets. Money Management Tools (MMTs) – support around budgeting, debt reduction, internet/phone banking, loans, payments and wealth creation.
249
Coaching – a series of structured sessions covering all aspects of money management.
[Avg:225]
82
[Avg:350]
[Avg:110]
Budgeting Coaching
577
Financial counselling – delivered by our in-house Financial Counsellor, who provides information, support and advocacy around financial needs.
147
236
[Avg:294]
[Avg:692]
442
[Avg:390]
MMTs General Support Wise Buys Financial Counselling
Wise Buys – supports members to get value for money when purchasing household goods and services.
1 According to the 2016 ABS Census, the total population of community members aged 15+ years in the four Cape York communities is 1,710. 2 Avg=Average number of sessions per six-monthly period between July 2018–June 2020.
18
