Council supports Challenge Poverty Week

During Challenge Poverty Week Cheshire West and Chester Council will be shining a spotlight on the challenges faced by people living in poverty, through the voices of those with lived experience.

During Challenge Poverty Week Cheshire West and Chester Council will be shining a spotlight on the challenges faced by people living in poverty, through the voices of those with lived experience.

A series of videos will be aired throughout the week to encourage local communities and businesses to consider what changes need to be made to tackle poverty.

Running from 17 to 23 October, the theme of Challenge Poverty Week England and Wales 2022 is Living not just existing: Dignity for All. The aim of the week is to raise voices against poverty, show what has already been done to challenge and ease poverty and end stigma around poverty.

Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Poverty and Wellbeing, Councillor Louise Gittins, said: “Since 2018, we have been working with a number of residents who have lived experience of poverty. These amazing individuals, known as community inspirers, are helping others to thrive and lead more prosperous lives, by shaping the way our borough’s leaders make decisions about Council services. Their stories and real-life experiences will be at the centre of the week’s activities.

“Through listening and understanding the challenges that our community inspirers have faced in the past, and still face today, we are helping to change attitudes. In the words of one of our community inspirers, ‘Shame and attitudes to poverty are really shocking. Some people believe that the way out of poverty is through work, but some people are unable to work and many people in poverty are working. People living in poverty feel shame and embarrassment and what we need is empathy for people living in poverty.’”

The Council continues to work with its partners to tackle the root causes of poverty and is hoping that many more businesses will sign up to the Poverty Pledge - I pledge to treat you how you want to be treated.

Support is available to residents struggling with the rising cost of living:

Cost of living support | Cheshire West and Chester Council

Live Well Cheshire West

Help in Emergencies for Local People (HELP)

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