Supporting People with Learning Disabilities in the Digital Age

In the UK, 1.5 million people live with learning disabilities, yet many face many obstacles when it comes to using, receiving, and making payments. The rise of digital payments, fewer in-person terminals, and complex fraud tactics are making transactions harder and riskier for individuals with learning disabilities. Despite these challenges, many people with learning disabilities want to make everyday payments independently – sometimes with the support of a trusted third party (TTP) but without the need for formal solutions like a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA).

A Call to Action for the Fintech Industry

In December 2024, Project Nemo and Kathryn Townsend, the Government Ambassador for Disability and Accessibility for the Banking sector, launched a call to action focused on improving safe, everyday spending options for individuals with learning disabilities. The initiative aimed to support individuals who may need help from a trusted third party, such as a family member, to maintain as much independence as possible in managing their finances. The goal was to provide better support and more accessible solutions for managing payments and financial transactions. To drive meaningful and lasting change, four interdependent workstreams were set up.  We are pleased to share the updates and outcomes from each of the interdependent workstreams:

Workstream 1: Research & Insights

Led by Nationwide, this workstream collaborated with Mencap, Dosh and others to explore the financial barriers faced by the 1.5 million adults in the UK with a learning disability when managing everyday money in an increasingly digital world.   The team worked with FireFish who undertook both quantitative and qualitative research  – speaking to those with lived experience and experts in the field.  The resulting report identifies clear, actionable steps for financial services to lead change, ensuring products and policies reflect real people’s needs.

Download the landmark report ‘Safe Spending for Adults with a Learning Disability’ here.

Workstream 2: Legal & Regulatory

Led by Fox Williams, this stream is tackling current barriers to service provision, with a focus on exploring the legal and regulatory considerations around improving accessible provision. Read the Project Nemo Legal and Regulatory Analysis prepared by Fox Williams here.

Workstream 3: Existing Solutions showcased via the Innovation Challenge

This stream explored how current products can support each step of the payments journey for people with learning disabilities. We called on FinTechs to showcase impactful solutions that remove barriers and empower adults with learning disabilities to achieve financial independence – whether through customer-facing tools or B2B innovations. We launched the Innovation Challenge in partnership with Fintech Fringe  and the Payments Association, running from February to March 2025. FinTechs with end-to-end or component solutions were invited to participate, and the winning entries were showcased on the Innovation Stage at Pay360 on 26 March 2025.

Congratulation to our incredible challenge winners: Hope Macey, Vouchsafe, Money Carer, Cleva card and Sibstar. A big thank you to everyone who submitted – we received 17 incredible entries!

Workstream 4: New Solutions

The final stream focused around new solution development opportunities and the ‘art of the possible’. The stream was sponsored by CI&T, tech transformation specialists. More information on the output of this stream to follow very soon!

“Like everyone involved with Project Nemo, I’m passionate about driving inclusion, particularly for those with learning disabilities. We’ve started the conversation, now it’s about everyone getting involved to make the change. This isn’t about asking for special treatment but ensuring everyone is considered and that financial services are accessible to all.” Kathryn Townsend, Government Disability & Access Ambassador for Banking Sector

Learn More From Lived Experience

Gain valuable insights from advocates, experts, and individuals with lived experience. These inspiring videos provide a deeper understanding of the challenges and potential solutions for enabling everyday payments for people with learning disabilities.

Topping up Independence

Chloe, a 22 year old girl with Cohen Syndrome, and her mum Catherine Ann share the real-life challenges they face when managing finances, highlighting the need for better solutions.

Watch the film

Safe spending for people with Learning Disabilities

Insights from our roundtable event hosted by Project Nemo and Kathryn Townsend, the Government Ambassador for Disability and Accessibility for the banking sector, looking at potential strategies and solutions to enable safe, secure and independent financial management.

Watch the roundup

Talking Heads Video

Discover the importance of accessible financial services directly from those with lived experience.

Watch the film

Additional Resources

• Watch or Listen Now! AXSChat: Transforming Financial Services: Inclusion and Accessibility in Banking. A 30 minute discussion with Kathryn Townsend and Mark Horrocks and Emily Baum from Project Nemo. Watch or listen to the podcast.

This project sits outside of industry bodies, such as UK Finance (UKF), The Payments Association (TPA), Payments Innovation Forum (PIF), Innovate Finance (IF) in order to facilitate focus on this issue, collaboration between a wider range of participants and open access to all deliverables. It is however ensuring that it is adding value to existing groups, particularly the UKF Third Party Access Mental Capacity Working Group (TPAMCWG).