Beverly W

🛠️ What would a successful child poverty strategy look like?

A successful child 'ACCESS' strategy begins with a change in the language we use in order to achieve our goal. 'Access' is the key to breaking the cycle of generational poverty. And what does that look like? In short, we are looking at equal access to resources that create the environment for success.

It would look like a level playing field. Where all children, from all walks of life, have the same opportunities to reach their potential, to succeed in life, to perform to the best of their ability, and do amazing things to further the growth of communities across the UK and the world beyond.

- Access to nutritious food without fear. Free school breakfast and lunch for every child from the age of 4. Plus a weekly bag of pantry essentials per child. Families can opt out of these at any time for any length of time and re-access them for any reason at anytime. This eliminates the stigma associated from free food access. Where a child is educated outside of the state system, they can be provided for through community hubs, best suited at libraries. Local businesses can be incentivised to participate in donating fresh /excess food (tons already going to waste on a regular basis) or teaching free community classes on cooking economically, budgeting, repair shops, mending and making, entrepreneurship, etc.

- Access to equitable education. The postcode lottery should no longer determine the quality and value of education in an area. Literacy in a family is a key determinant of breaking cyclical poverty. Community hubs would provide adult literacy classes for free, computer support, skill share, cultural education and awareness. Local churches would be invited to participate in tutoring. Children could come in after school for additional help with subjects. Or a safe place to hang out and learn a skill, sport, video or traditional games. Gardening clubs near the community center would aim to feed the community and teach members valuable life skills.

- Access to equitable housing. Too many commercially zoned properties have stood vacant for far too long. If a property is vacant for more than a year, they must pay a weekly fine until it's being properly used. After 6 months of fines, they have the option of selling it to the council at a reduced price. If they choose not to, after 2 years the property is turned over to the community hub redevelopment group for reclamation. If the hub team with the input of the local community feels housing is needed, then the council will pay for the redevelopment into housing, or maybe it's better suited for a rehabilitation facility for the community, or a youth center etc... the community which is often several postcodes will decide what they want to do with the vacant property in their neighbourhoods. Housing must be safe and healthy. Community hubs volunteers are the go between with the tenants landlords and council. If the landlord refuse to repair a property, the hub institutes a fine structure and is free to ban the landlord from renting in the community. The hub will be given power to own community property that comes with responsibilities of community participation in exchange for subsidised rent.

- Access to equitable medical care again, ending postcode lottery care. Hubs should be staffed with a community nurse, care team. Drop in care clinic for colds, colic, triage for geriatric issues.

- Access to equitable clothing. Community hubs would have swap and shop for clothing. Every newborn gets a complete complimentary starter set. At the beginning of each school year every child gets a set amount on a debit card to buy what they need that isn't provided by the school/hub. Schools should FREELY supply everything needed for the learning environment. This includes uniforms. For every child. A parent may opt out, but it's not required.

🔄 What changes do you need to see?

Get US management companies out of the DWP.

Free university education or free trade schooling for those who aren't inclined to attend university.

A more tapered benefit system rather than cliff edge disasters.

More information provided to the millions of claimants who are missing out on extra help they are entitled to get yet don't know about it. An end to those claimants being underpaid whilst the DWP reap up the savings.

An end to the scrounger rhetoric once and for all.

An end to DWP incompetence, and department errors or overpayments being classed as fraud, an end to blaming the claimant instead of admitting their own mistakes, or wasting millions on appeals they won't win.

An end to all the corporate greed and corruption people are currently exposed to.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What would it mean for you and your family?



When people are invested in their community, they have a desire to see it thrive and replicated. When feeling valued as individuals, people are more willing to go the extra mile. When people feel respected, aspirations are raised. All in all this is good for everyone.