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
Joining it up
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)
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-todate
• 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