Andrew Western recently visited the Nationwide Building Society in Stretford, to see it trial its new Speak Easy programme. Speak Easy is helping customers with language barriers and disabilities, by providing language cards and staff who speak multiple languages.

Speak Easy is being trialled in 10 Nationwide branches across Manchester and is helping people to manage money.

During his visit to the Stretford branch, staff told Andrew that they hoped the scheme would be helpful for people with dementia. It’s also hoped that it would benefit those with communication difficulties and people who don’t speak English as a first language.

Sally, a disabled resident who went along with Andrew, said it is really good and suggested new cards and the staff were happy to provide her with.

Andrew Western said: “I went to Nationwide in Stretford to look at work they are doing to make banking more accessible for those with additional needs. They have created a series of communication cards as part of their Speak Easy programme to help people who may struggle to communicate (for whatever reason) to explain the support they need from the cashiers.

“I asked my disabled constituent Sally to join me for the visit to see what she made of the scheme and it was clear from Sally’s feedback and the examples the branch team provided that this will make a real difference and ensure that banking will be more accessible in the future. It truly is an excellent initiative!”

If you know someone who might benefit from communication support with their banking, you can go along to Nationwide in Stretford Mall and the team will be happy to help. The trial will take place for three months.