Reducing Child Poverty in Huntingdon North Ward

Huntingdonshire Area Partnership

Poverty Sub Group

Reducing Child Poverty A Priority for the Area Partnership

Why Huntingdon North Ward?

32% children are growing up in poverty

Ranks high on a range of indicators for poverty including – Low income and benefit claims, including Free School Meals– Lone parents– Under 18 conception – First time offenders– Domestic violence – Drug and alcohol use– Low educational attainment and aspirations

£22k

Big Feet Little Feet Aim: To engage parents and carers in their children’s

learning

Evidence: Parental engagement in children’s learning before age 7 can improve attainment outcomes Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Participation in arts activities increases confidence, commitment, attendance, communication and literacy skills, tolerance and understanding Vital

Communities

Supporting people in crisis (loans, food bank, clothing bank, furniture projects, debt advice & support groups, mental health support, family support)

Preventing the crisis (credit unions, budgeting courses, debt & benefits advice, tackling fuel poverty, affordable transport, social projects to reduce isolation)

Supporting people into work (advice & guidance, training, volunteering, business start up advice)

Joining it up

Additional Support

• Sub-group -organisations and individuals with an interest in and commitment to working to reduce poverty and the impact of welfare reform

• No budget• Co-ordinating what’s available; sharing

information and resources; identifying where support can be embedded within existing work

What have we achieved?

• Mapping and co-ordination of local support

• Explored the impact of Welfare Reform on local people

• The Ticking Time Bomb• Action Plan

The Ticking Time Bomb

• Good attendance• Excellent feedback• Countless conversations

and agreements to work together

Delivery within Existing Budgets

• Food Bank, Community Shop, Furniture Project - voucher scheme

• Directory of Services and Top Tips • Cooking on a Budget• Money Management and Debt Advice• Illegal Money Lending Campaign • Community Legal Advice

Developments

• Drop-in help and advice in the community

• Keeping ourselves and staff up-to-date

• Expand food based projects• Employability and practical projects • Money Management

Why has this initiative worked?

Interest/relevance/timely

Local Focus

Commitment

Willingness to share and work in partnership