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:

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

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

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. We also have summaries of the events on our website, click on the links below to read the highlights of some of the events.

Same Boat film premiere

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.

Challenging Poverty: why we need to talk (more) about race, class and gender

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.

Challenging Poverty: Local Solutions

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

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.

Same Boat poetry anthology launch

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 or watch the event here.

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

Challenging Poverty in Yorkshire

Challenging Poverty in Greater Manchester

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