Computing students work with CAB to offer advice on finances

Computing students have created an online budgeting tool to help Darlington Citizens’ Advice Bureau provide financial advice via their website.

Three second year Teesside University foundation degree students undertook a project for a module called Industry Project as part of their FdSc Computing.

The online application is to be added to the Darlington Citizens Advice Bureau website, enabling clients to manage their money.

Neeraj Sharma, chief executive officer, Darlington CAB, explained that although the bureau is an established provider of financial budgetary training through workshops and on a one-to-one basis, they wanted to take this further by developing a self-help tool which could be accessed from a computer desktop or mobile phone application.

This led Darlington CAB to discuss collaborating with Teesside University volunteers to create a self-help tool. Darlington CAB staff worked with Teesside University students Adam Riddick, Ryan Lewis and Scott Pratt to bring the idea to life and provide technical input.

Neeraj added: 'I have been very impressed with the team of volunteers at Teesside University and the academic staff. They approached this project meticulously, with high levels of dedication and professionalism. As a group they worked hard to ensure that we meet our project goal of developing a financial self-help empowerment tool fit for the digital age.'

Adam, 25, of Sedgefield, said: 'The escalation of this project has been incredible and I’m really proud that it is resulting in a live launch, which is an amazing achievement for second year students and made ever more sweet knowing that this is an application which will help to change the financial situations of those in need.

'What Neeraj and his team are doing at Darlington CAB is exceptional, and it has been a pleasure working so closely with them to bring this application into fruition.'

The project was also exhibited at the University’s annual ExpoTees 2013 event, usually only open to final year students.

Module leader Vicky Rushin-Chape said: 'The project opportunities were procured by Volun-Tees, an online interactive service which matches Teesside University students who want to get involved in volunteering with organisations who need them.

'The students have a developed, from scratch, a financial application for Darlington Citizens’ Advice Bureau, which will be accessed and used by any customer via their website.

'Darlington CAB is so happy with the outcome that they would like to use the application as part of their everyday business and the students are now working with them on a deployment plan.'

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