Friday 18th October – Sunday 20th October

Money Matters highlights a difficult reality: while many older adults enjoy the benefits of their hard work in retirement, others, especially women and people of the global majority, are at higher risk of having low financial resources later in life.

This exhibition aims to expose the complex issues around financial security in later life. We focus on ethnicity, but also recognise that other factors, like age, gender and social class, play a role in how people build their financial resources over time.

The exhibition is part of a 3-year academic project funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, and titled ‘Promoting inclusivity in pension protection and other forms of saving among men and women from black and minority ethnic communities in the UK: a mixed methods study’.

Departing from conventional research methods, we collaborated with middle-aged and older individuals to explore their financial resilience in the context of their social networks, living situations, and cultural backgrounds. Through photos taken by participants, we highlight the diverse experiences and voices from global majority communities in Southampton and the surrounding areas.

By sharing their real-life stories and experiences, we gain a deeper understanding of the differences in pension provisions and financial security across different communities. This helps us move toward a future where everyone’s retirement is secure and dignified.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the participants who generously shared their life stories with us and provided photographs for this project and exhibition. Your invaluable contributions have enriched our research, allowing us to shed light on important issues surrounding financial resilience. Thank you for being integral parts of this journey and for helping us spark meaningful change through your stories and images.