Do you want to be more confident with numbers?

Nearly half of the working-age population in England have very limited numeracy skills. In fact, it’s so common to hear people say ‘I’m rubbish at maths’ that we often think nothing of it – but the inability to use numbers confidently can cost an individual around £460 a year and have a negative impact on their health and wellbeing. However, there are many free initiatives you can join to help you be more confident with everyday Maths, including Multiply, a programme designed to help adults in London improve their Maths skills.

What is Number Confidence Week?

Number Confidence Week is a week-long initiative taking place from 6-10 November. Organised by the independent charity National Numeracy, Number Confidence Week encourages people to boost their ability when it comes to everyday Maths.

Why is number confidence important?

Feeling confident about your number skills has an impact on daily life – whether you’re working out how many taxis you need for a big group of friends or managing household finances. 

Number confidence is about more than being able to reel off times tables or do long division in your head – in-built calculators in our smartphones make that a problem of the past. What’s important is to know how to work out important figures using the technology available to you and understand the numbers you see in your everyday life. It’s about knowing whether the ‘special offer’ in your basket really is a bargain, and being able to recognise if your payslip doesn’t add up.

If you’re a parent or guardian, you’ll probably have to help children with their Maths homework at some point, so why not get ahead of the curve and challenge yourself to refresh what you learnt (or didn’t learn) in school?

Take advantage of free resources 

If you had a hard time with Maths at school, don’t let that hold you back. There’s a wide range of useful free resources on offer as part of Number Confidence Week, from habit trackers designed to get you thinking about your own number confidence, to advice on understanding your payslip. 

Sometimes, confidence begins with connection, and you can also read a wide range of personal stories about other people’s relationship with numbers.

There’s also a selection of resources and downloadable activities designed to help you support your children in their learning.

Join the National Numeracy Challenge

Don’t be put off by the title, it’s not a competition! In fact, the National Numeracy Challenge is a great way to have a go at some Maths quizzes and challenges to improve how you feel about using numbers in everyday life. 

Join a free Multiply course at Capital City College Group

Supported by the Mayor of London, the Multiply programme is designed to help adults in London improve their Maths skills. If you’re 19 and over and don’t have Maths GCSE Grade 4/Grade C or equivalent, then you’ll be eligible to take part in a free numeracy course at CCCG. You can build your confidence as you learn and even gain a qualification.

Multiply courses enable you to:

• Boost your confidence
• Manage your finances
• Enhance your skills for the workplace
• Access better job opportunities
• Gain a Maths qualification (if you don’t have one already)
• Support your kids with their schoolwork

Stacy-Ann Manderson, 46, who completed a CCCG Multiply earlier this year said: “I haven’t studied Maths in years and sometimes when my daughter, who is in Year Five, asks me for help with her homework I don’t know the answer…I’ve really enjoyed the course and I feel more confident with numbers now.”

Take a look at the CCCG Multiply courses to find out more.

CCCG’s colleges also offer GCSE and Functional Skills courses in English and Maths. Find out more and apply here.