Dear Dear John

Thank you to everyone who got in involved in the first Challenge Poverty Week
England and Wales! Last week was an opportunity to speak up, and for voices that
are often ignored to be heard loud and clear. We showed that a better, more
compassionate society, in which everyone is able to live life to the full, is
possible and that there’s no better time than now to start making it a reality.Here is a video to say thank you and a quick recap of last week’s events:

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During Challenge Poverty Week we were able to highlight the incredible work
being done by community groups around the country, and to show what can and must
be done differently: we know Government must invest in accessible and adequate
public services and support a benefit system that enables everyone to move
forward. We know politicians and employers must strive to pay every worker a
Living Wage. We know that our education leaders could do more to close the
rich-poor attainment gap in our schools.

All this and more was highlighted in our action-packed week of events, including
a film premier, the launch of an anthology of lockdown poetry, and feature
events on race, class and gender, how poverty affects LGBTQ+ communities, a
showcase of some of the most exciting and innovative local initiatives to
Challenge Poverty across England and Wales.


CHALLENGE POVERTY WEEK HIGHLIGHTS

REPORTING POVERTY: A GUIDE FOR MEDIA PROFESSIONALS RELEASE
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On Monday Reporting Poverty: a guide for media professionals was released. It contains guidance for journalists and media professionals on
how to report on poverty effectively and respectfully, in a way that retains the
dignity of interviewees. It contains ideas to ensure coverage looks at the
causes and human impact of poverty, and solutions, and tips to ensure stories
have the intended impact.

RELEASE OF NEW CHILD POVERTY DATA BY END CHILD POVERTY
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Child poverty has risen most sharply in parts of the Midlands and Northern towns
and cities in the past four years, according to research published by the End
Child Poverty coalition. The data, published on Wednesday, shows the scale of
the challenge faced by government if it is to realise its ambition to build back
better and level up opportunities for children across the UK.


EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

If you missed some of the events they are available to watch again on the
Challenge Poverty Week Facebook page
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to read the highlights of some of the events.

SAME BOAT FILM PREMIERE
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The premiere of The Same Boat , a short film written by Ellis Howard and directed by Brody Salmon inspired by
the stories of those with lived experience of poverty during lockdown. This
event took place on Tuesday evening with a screening of the film and a Q&A with
the cast and crew. Watch the film here.
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CHALLENGING POVERTY: WHY WE NEED TO TALK (MORE) ABOUT RACE, CLASS AND GENDER
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Discussions during this event focused on how, to end poverty, we must focus more
on race, class and gender. Poverty is gendered, and the experiences of women
living in poverty are not homogeneous, particularly those of women from black
and ethnic minority backgrounds. With input from speakers: Andrea Barry (Joseph
Roundtree Foundation), Faiza Shaheen (CLASS), Sandra Penaloza-Rice (Migrant
Support) and Anike Olaitan-Omole (First Love Foundation). Watch a recording on Facebook here.
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CHALLENGING POVERTY: LOCAL SOLUTIONS
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This event showcased some of the most exciting and innovative local initiatives
to Challenge Poverty across England and Wales at the moment. The work of the
Poverty Truth Network, Children North East's programme to 'Poverty Proof the
School Day', the growing network of 'Self-Reliant Groups' being supported by
Purple Shoots in South Wales and the South West, and Cornwall Independent
Poverty Forum's 'Fair and Just Future for Cornwall' initiative, was all
discussed as examples of inspirational local initiatives.

RESET THE DEBT CAMPAIGN WEBINAR
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This event introduced the Reset the Debt campaign, launched last week by Church
Action on Poverty and the Baptist, Methodist, United Reformed Churches and
Church of Scotland. An estimated six million people in the UK have fallen behind
on one or more household bills as a result of Covid-19, with the biggest
increases in debt amongst the poorest households. The campaign is calling for
the Chancellor to take urgent action to cancel or pay off up to £5 billion of
unpayable household debts. Watch the event on Facebook here.
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SAME BOAT POETRY ANTHOLOGY LAUNCH
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The launch of the Same Boat? poetry anthology, poems on lockdown and poverty. This event was an opportunity
to hear from those who contributed to the book, both live performances and
discussion around the themes raised, along with an open mic for anyone who wants
to share their own poems, spoken word or music. Buy the book here
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HOW CAN WE WORK TOGETHER TO TACKLE POVERTY IN LGBTQ+ COMMUNITIES?
This panel discussion and conversation explored how people from LGBTQ+ Community
can become part of our movement to tackle poverty in the UK, whilst celebrating
the good work those from grassroots working class LGBTQ+ communities are already
doing. Hosted by Eliis Howard, Millie McLeod and Ben Pearson, with input from
speakers, Amy Harper, Ryan Lee Hassey, Kirit Patel, Rob Berkeley (BlackOut UK),
Nathan East (AKT), and Osman (Hidayah). This event was not recorded in order to
create a safe space for those discussing sensitive topics.

REGIONAL EVENTS
Find out more about our regional events discussing local initiatives to tackle
poverty in the North East, Yorkshire, and Greater Manchester below.

Challenging Poverty in North East England
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Challenging Poverty in Yorkshire
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Challenging Poverty in Greater Manchester
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Thank you again to everyone who was involved and supported Challenge Poverty
Week England and Wales.

Yours sincerely

Jessica Waylen
Challenge Poverty Week Intern at Church Action on Poverty

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c/o Church Action on Poverty, 28 Sandpiper Court, Water's Edge Business Park,
Modwen Road, Salford M5 3EZ
Registered charity number 1079986. Company limited by guarantee, registered in
England and Wales, number 3780243.

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