SHEFFIELD POVERTY UPDATE

Number 14 August 2009 The economic downturn, the increase in poverty and, as we have learned, in inequality, have been in our minds during this year. We have tried to draw the attention of the public to this during our various activities over the last twelve months. We hope that this newsletter will give you some idea of what we in Sheffield have tried to achieve and a look at what we are planning for the next few months.

Three Sheffield MPs sign the GET FAIR Poverty Pledge

Get Fair is a national campaign, calling for an end to poverty in the UK by 2020. The aim is to get all political parties to commit to measures to ensure adequate incomes, affordable homes and fair access to services for all. All over the country supporters of the campaign very many of them from Church Action on Poverty - have lobbied their MPs to get them to sign the Get Fair Pledge: I undertake to use, or support the use of, all policy powers available to Parliament to meet policy targets and include concrete measures in my party manifesto to achieve a lasting reduction in poverty in the UK. In Sheffield we were well received by: Nick Clegg, M.P. for Sheffield Hallam and leader of the Liberal Democrats, who was happy to sign the Poverty Pledge, assuring us that the aims of the campaign would be reflected in his party manifesto. He particularly emphasised measures to reduce inequalities through the tax system and to improve the life chances of children living in poverty

Richard Caborn, M.P. for Sheffield Central and Paul Blomfield, (the prospective parliamentary candidate).They both signed the Pledge and Richard Caborn also undertook to sign an Early Day Motion, calling on the government to commit to the aims of the Get Fair campaign. They expressed their concerns about poverty and unemployment in Sheffield and the enormous waiting list for social housing.

Angela Smith, M.P. for Sheffield Hillsborough, signed the Poverty Pledge, agreed to sign the Early Day Motion and indicated she would raise a question in the House on social housing.

Explainer The national Church Action on Poverty. Our Sheffield group is affiliated to this. It has a significant role throughout the whole of the UK both in campaigning and in running some demonstration projects which aim to show how people experiencing poverty may be given a voice, and be helped to develop sustainable livelihoods. Many of our local initiatives are part of national campaigns instigated by the national society. This year, these have included the Voices from the Edge drama and the Get Fair campaign with the lobbying of MPs. Detailed information about the national society, its many activities and how to join can be found at: www.church-poverty.org.uk

Poverty and Homelessness Week 2009

(This was on 30 January 7 February this year, which, you may remember was memorable for the snow and the cold. In spite of this, only one event had to be postponed and praise is due to those hardy people who helped with the events and, not least, to those who came along to support them!). A Homelessness Lunch was organised by Abdool Gooljar of the Islamic Society of Great Britain at the Madina Community Centre. A lively discussion was led by Abdool Gooljar and Robert Spooner from ASSIST. The Annual Service organised by Sheffield Churches Homelessness Forum was held at St Andrews United Reformed Church this year and the congregation heard a thought-provoking address from Tim Renshaw of the Archer Project on the experiences of the homeless. On Saturday, 7 February, some of us stood in Fargate and distributed 400 copies of a leaflet about poverty and homelessness, with particular reference to Sheffield. It only took us an hour to do this if only we had known how quickly we could distribute, we would have had more leaflets printed. It is impossible to know how many were read carefully but there was genuine interest shown by some in what we had to say. Also on 7 February, Actors for Human Rights performed a new documentary drama, Voices from the Edge at the Quaker Meeting House. This was a powerful experience, professionally presented, and we were privileged in Sheffield to have one of the inaugural performances. There was encouraging feedback from the audience, some of whom had never participated in campaigning and wanted to learn more about the issues.
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The Civic Breakfast that was planned for the Week had to be postponed because of the weather but was held in March instead. It was attended by the Lord Mayor and others by invitation and this year the theme was Problems of the Elderly, with stimulating talks from Professor Tony Warnes of Sheffield Institute on Ageing, Eddie Sherwood of Sheffield City Council, and Canon Lewis Atkinson.

The economic downturn and poverty in South Yorkshire

was the subject of a conference we held last October. Liam Purcell from the national society gave a talk on the Get Fair campaign. We also wanted to consult about where we should be directing our efforts locally. Subjects discussed included the need to address inequality and to find alternative ways (including giving a choice to those with

personal experience of poverty) of raising awareness of these issues and, for ourselves, to live more simply. An emergency night shelter, the welfare of asylum seekers and refugees, and a change in the Councils policy on re-housing were some of the specific suggestions. It was felt that the churches in Sheffield needed to work more closely together to help achieve all of this.

Emergency Night Shelter

I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me Matthew 25:40
At the AGM and at other times we have talked about the pressing need for an emergency night shelter for those sleeping rough in the city. Sheffield is one of the biggest cities without such a facility. Sheffield Churches organise a soup run that goes out over the winter months and serves between 15 and 20 people on each night of the week. The experience of this run indicates that there are a small number of rough sleepers who would benefit from a night shelter. SAVE (Sheffield Agencies for the Vulnerable and Excluded) who have voiced this concern for many years, have recently designated funds to kick-start a temporary, short-term night shelter for the winter months only. SAVE hope that several churches and other organisations will be willing to make their premises available as a night centre on a rota basis and that volunteers from various groups will be recruited during the autumn. One church has already signed up and SAVE would like to hear from others that might be interested. Please contact SAVE on 07899 044853 or email assocsave@onetel.com

Inequality in the UK and Financial Inclusion in Sheffield

were the subjects for our keynote speakers at our 2009 Annual General Meeting in April. Professor Richard Wilkinson gave a talk on his recent book, written with Kate Pickett: The Spirit Level: Why more equal societies almost always do better. Professor Wilkinson provided evidence that for each of eleven significant health and social problems there is a strong correlation between inequality and the severity of these problems. On nearly every measure of health and social well-being the countries with the widest gap between rich and poor, notably including the UK, have the highest incidence of health and social problems, and this is true for the majority of the population, not just the poorest. In more equal societies everybody - rich as well as poor benefits. The crucial message for all of us in the UK is that more needs to be done to address our unequal society.. Eric Thompson, Financial Inclusion Champion of South Yorkshire gave a talk on Financial Inclusion locally, explaining that he is seeking to engage strategically with partners (e.g. the 24 advice centres in Sheffield) to raise awareness of this issue. Priorities include tackling debt and the lack of access to financial services like bank accounts, particularly in the significant percentage of Sheffield wards that are amongst the poorest in the country. During the business part of the AGM, our chair, David Price, reviewed our activities during the year, and emphasised that the economic downturn made campaigning all the more important since it was at such a time that the poor are more likely to suffer. The point was made from the floor that this should be an opportunity for the churches to engage in campaigning and practical support, and the committee was urged to increase its efforts to encourage churches in Sheffield to join our group.

How can we become a more equal society?

What does the LORD require of you? To do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)
To follow on from the themes of the AGM we organised this discussion meeting in June to look at ways of pursuing Richard Wilkinsons findings. Those attending the meeting included those with secular political and professional interests as well as members of Sheffield Church Action on Poverty. There was general agreement that the findings could be a powerful argument in the fight against poverty and inequality. Effective ways of getting the message across to the general public were considered a crucial and necessary pre-condition to influencing policy makers; the use of petitions or pledges were ways of doing this. Those present also felt that partnership between faith-based and secular organisations with similar aims was important as was engaging with those suffering injustice. We hope to build on these partnerships over the coming year while not forgetting that our first responsibility is to raise awareness and encourage support from churches and their congregations. Stop Press! .Professor Wilkinson has also set up an Equality Trust to promote the benefits of a more equal society. (see www.equalitytrust.org.uk). One of those who attended the meetings about our unequal society, Jason Leman, would like to set up a local group of the Equality Trust in Sheffield and wants to organise a meeting to discuss the way forward. Already this initiative has attracted some interest. Our Church Action on Poverty group supports this approach, but to be kept informed please contact Jason direct at lejasonman@googlemail.com or 07956 384142.

The South Yorkshire Migration and Asylum Group

has continued its campaigning for a better deal for asylum seekers and Church Action on Poverty offers strong support.

SYMAAG and CAP were involved in a major demonstration in Sheffield on 27th March in support of three Zimbabweans, Priviledge, Valerie and Lorraine Thulambo, who were threatened with deportation. They subsequently won their bid for judicial review. SYMAAG also organised a 'Solidarity' Conference in May in Barnsley in alliance with various trades unions and called for an end to the current ban on work for asylum seekers.

SYMAAG, with the Childrens Society organised a well attended meeting on asylum and children in Sheffield in March. A resolution was passed calling for an end to the practice of imprisoning children in detention centres, and for more help for children seeking asylum.

Saturday 17 October Poverty Pilgrimage This is the tenth anniversary of the Poverty Pilgrimage when thousands of people joined a walk from Iona to London. This year, many shorter Pilgrimages of 5 miles in length are being organised to raise awareness plus funds for CAP and local projects. In Sheffield we are planning a route to include many places relevant to current or historical drives against poverty. The start will be at Sheffield Cathedral at 9.30 with a short service. Further details will be sent to you. 2-7 November Exhibition in Central Library Surrey Street We shall have an exhibition in the foyer to draw attention to the various aspects of poverty. Make sure you visit it! Saturday 14 November National Church Action on Poverty Annual Conference This year it will be held in Sheffield, at St Marys Church and Conference Centre, Bramall Lane. More details to follow.
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Dates for your diary

Members! Supporters!
We depend on you to advise us on where we should be directing our efforts and on helping us to do this. Please keep contacting us with your views and offers of help. We also rely on church and individual members subscriptions for all our expenses, including the hire of halls for meetings, printing costs and postage. Subscriptions have been have been much fewer recently. One of the themes of recent meetings has been the need to involve more of the numerous churches in supporting our campaigns and raising awareness amongst congregations. Please ask your church to support us. Information about subscriptions (which range from 0 -25) can be requested from the Treasurer, Bernard Greenwood, on 0114 2872991 or CAP.treas@Waitrose.com.

Please contact us if you wish to have more details about any of the items in this newsletter, have suggestions about what we should be doing, or can offer any help. Enquiries to: Chair: David Price Secretary: Sarah Baker 0114 2552226 0114 2309552 davidprice2@googlemail.com sarahbaker17@live.co.uk