Category

• Emerging Local Practice

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Poverty impact

• Awareness

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Poverty driver

• Non-driver - improving quality of life

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Keywords

• Poverty
• Stigma
• Awareness
• Wellbeing
• Income Maximisation

Aim

The aim of the project is to improve staff awareness of the root causes of poverty, challenge stigma, and direct staff towards information and resources which can help people maximise their income.  

Summary

The Think Poverty sessions were developed to highlight the impact living in poverty has on people’s lives and wellbeing. These are online, interactive sessions where staff can discuss the reality of poverty in a judgement-free space. The sessions raise awareness of the impact poverty on the lives of local people, as well as the national big picture. While these sessions raise awareness of poverty, they also challenge the stigma surrounding it. By completing a budgeting activity, session participants place themselves in the shoes of people struggling to make ends meet. The sessions conclude with information for staff on where people can go for support.  

What difference does it make?

Improved staff understanding of poverty and improved awareness of support information and services available. It raised empathy amongst staff allowing a greater understanding of the impact of poverty.
The sessions opened and increased dialogue between staff on the issue of poverty.

Key take-aways

• Stigma towards poverty can act as a barrier to those wishing to seek help.
• Raising poverty awareness and informing members of council staff is key to making services more accessible and approachable to those experiencing poverty.
• Being open to constructive criticism and feedback is important to ensure a project can be as efficient as possible whilst providing the best possible outcomes for those it intends to help.

 

Organisations

Falkirk Council

Location

Falkirk Council area

Contact