Challenge Poverty Week kicked off last week on Monday 3rd with a screening at Belmont Cinema, bringing together organisations that deal with the impacts of poverty in Aberdeen on a day to day basis for discussion, and to highlight the work of Aberdeen’s third sector.
After the impacts of Brexit, the pandemic, rising gas and electric bills, the rising cost of food.. in this economy, more and more people are finding it harder to keep their head above water. A recent study found that just over one fifth of Aberdeen’s kids are living in poverty, and this doesn’t take into account the rising population of ‘in work’ insecurity in adults. Hardship has always been in Aberdeen, so why talk about it this particular week?
Challenge Poverty Week was originally set up by the Poverty Alliance back in 2013, to highlight the injustice of poverty in Scotland and demonstrate how collaborative work by compassionate beings do create actual change. Thankfully, there are many organisations in and around Aberdeen that are exemplary in dedicating themselves to alleviating poverty and to helping improve people’s lives. Events over the week include Station House Media Unit (SHMU) inviting third sector organisations along to speak about their work on and the impact they have on the radio, and a film screening and discussion at Belmont Film House, highlighting the need for Challenge Poverty Week. Four organisations made short films, AberNecessities, SHMU, ACVO, and CFINE, focusing on different topics. Watch the videos here: https://acvo.org.uk/cpw-22/ to see them for yourself!
For anyone requiring support
Aberdeen’s third sector covers a variety of demographics including help for children, food, housing, employability, and finance:
- AberNecessities: AberNecessities provides disadvantaged families with the essential and basic necessities that No Child Should Go Without.
Contact: 07719707360, Referral only
- Befriend a Child: Befriend a Child works to support children and young people growing up in difficult life circumstances across Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire to develop into confident young adults and help them reach their full potential.
Contact: Email: info@befriendachild.org.uk Phone: 01224 210060
- CFINE Community Food Initiative North East: CFINE provides support in access to food, wellbeing, skills development, and improving finances.
Contact: Email: info@cfine.org Phone: 01224 596156
- SHMU Station House Media Unit: SHMU supports disadvantaged communities, both geographic and communities of interest across the region, with an employability and training arm and programmes for adults facing personal challenges.
Contact: Email: info@shmu.org.uk Phone: 01224 515013
- Aberdeen Cyrenians: Cyrenians provide support in housing, food, independence, liberation, ending violence, and health & wellbeing.
Contact: Email: hello@weareac.org Phone: 0300 303 0903
This is just a subsect of the organisations available. Please see the ACVO website for help or volunteering opportunities.
So, what does this mean for you?
Challenge Poverty Week has highlighted the need for further work in alleviating the impacts of poverty in Aberdeen. If you are in a position where you are able to give, please consider donating your time and volunteering with some of the amazing charities Aberdeen hosts. There are a variety of jobs out there to suit anyone, with a multitude of benefits that come with it such as making new friends and learning new skills. For example, become one of our food champions and gain the skills to teach food skills and confidence to communities. Helping individuals gain confidence in cooking and creating healthy meals. Volunteer your time to make food parcels, drive vans, phone someone in isolation, stock shelves, whatever it takes to alleviate the pressure these organisations face and do your bit to make a difference. Find opportunities here: https://acvo.org.uk/opportunities/volunteering/ and together, we can #TurnTheTide on poverty.