CHALLENGE POVERTY WEEK
SCREENING AND DIALOGUE EVENT
Aberdeen Music Hall
11th October 2024
FAIRER ABERDEEN FUND PARTNERS EVENT
OVERVIEW
On 11th October, Fairer Aberdeen Fund Partners hosted an event as part of the Poverty Alliance's Challenge Poverty Week. The event showcased the impactful work of organisations dedicated to addressing poverty and inequality across Aberdeen and highlighted the real, lived experiences of those affected by poverty, creating spaces for open discussion on the barriers they face and solutions to drive lasting change.
Attendees viewed impactful short films produced by Station House Media Unit (shmu), Befriend a Child, and Aberdeen Foyer, featuring individuals with firsthand experience of poverty. These films highlighted the urgent need for social change, underscoring the human impact behind the statistics and advocating for reform.
This digital magazine aims to share more widely the presentations and films from the event, reaching and impacting on a wider audience.
POVERTY IN SCOTLAND
Jack Evans, Senior Policy Advisor at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, set the scene for the event, providing a presentation on the organisation’s recently published report, Poverty in Scotland. The report highlights critical issues around poverty in Scotland and stresses the need for systemic change, highlighting issues such as wage stagnation, rising living costs, and regional disparities in access to essential services. Evans emphasised that without targeted intervention and policy reforms, these issues will continue to limit opportunities for economic mobility and equality across Scotland.
LIVED EXPERIENCE SHORT FILMS
Women and Poverty >>
A film by shmu, created with women from Fersands and Fountain SCIO, highlighting the harsh realities of in-work poverty faced by thousands of mothers in the city. The film was introduced at the event by one of the women, Freya, featured in the film.
No Recourse to Public Funds >>
A collaboration between the No Recourse, North East Partnership, GREC and shmu resulted in this film highlighting the experiences of individuals with No Recourse to Public Funds in Aberdeen
Befriend a Child >>
Befriend a Child highlighted the experiences of young children living in poverty and how the charity provides a vital lifeline for those in need.
Aberdeen Foyer >>
This film by Aberdeen Foyer explored a young person’s experience of homelessness and showcases the support provided by the charity to help young people in need.
and Northfield
CASH-FIRST ABERDEEN
The Aberdeen Cash First Project, led by ACVO in partnership with local organisations, aims to break the cycle of financial crises and reduce reliance on food banks by offering direct financial support to those in need, positioning emergency food provision as a last resort. Aligned with the Scottish Government’s commitment to addressing financial hardship, the project targets poverty by providing flexible assistance through cash payments, vouchers, or direct payments to essential services.
Amy Duncan, the Cash First Coordinator in Aberdeen (based at ACVO), provided a presentation of the project and its aims.
NEW LOCAL -
Tackling poverty with Community Power
New Local are a national organisation working to unlock community power, strengthen public services and renew local government. Community Power is an approach that empowers local communities to lead solutions addressing their unique needs. By shifting resources and decision-making to residents, the model fosters locally driven initiatives for economic support, affordable housing, and accessible services. Community Power transforms communities into active agents of change, creating sustainable, ground-up solutions to reduce poverty and build resilience.
Imran Hashmi, a Senior Researcher from New Local gave an overview of successful initiatives and argued for a community-led approach to tackling poverty.
LIVED EXPERIENCE DISCUSSIONS
The event featured discussions that included individuals with lived experience, shedding light on poverty-related challenges and potential solutions across topics such as employability, stigma, financial inclusion, child poverty, support for women, and issues faced by those without recourse to public funds.
Key themes that emerged from the event include:
Dignity in Services: Attendees stressed the importance of treating people with respect in employability and benefits systems, advocating for community-based, supportive approaches.
Reducing Stigma: To combat stigma, participants recommended sharing real stories, training staff, and fostering community empathy.
Access to Financial Resources: Simplifying benefits access and improving financial literacy through community hubs and digital outreach were highlighted as positive next steps.
Support for Families: Affordable childcare and family resources are crucial. Policy changes should reduce financial pressures on working families.
Policy and Sustainable Funding: Long-term, community-driven funding and policy reform were called for to address poverty effectively.
Women and Vulnerable Groups: Support systems should consider women’s caregiving roles and address barriers for marginalised groups, including those with No Recourse To Public Funds.
As the event wrapped up, we took the opportunity to undertake interviews with some of the organisers and attendees.
Additional
Challenge
Poverty Week
2024 media
SHMU IN FOCUS VISUAL PODCASTS
shmu’s Challenge Poverty Week visual podcast series shed light on topics such as poverty-related stigma, unpaid carers, and health inequalities. shmu volunteers interviewed individuals with lived experience, along with experts that ranged from academics to policymakers and provided valuable insights and possible solutions to tackling poverty in Aberdeen and beyond.
shmu In Focus - Unpaid Carers >>
shmu In Focus - Stigma >>
shmu In Focus - Health Inequalities >>
RADIO TAKEOVER
As part of Challenge Poverty Week, a shmuFM Packed Lunch show featured daily interviews with local community organisations. shmu volunteers engaged with these organisations and discussed initiatives aimed at addressing poverty in Aberdeen. Through these conversations, listeners gained valuable insights into the impactful work being done within the community to challenge poverty and signposted those listening to where support was available.
Interview - Aberdeen Citizen Advice
Interview - Befriend a Child >>
Interview - Foyer Aberdeen >>
