For Challenge Poverty Week 2024, we shared some of the ways we support families with poverty and the ongoing cost of living crisis on a day to day basis.
The first day of this important week focused on Housing. In line with this theme, we believe everyone in Scotland should have a safe, secure and sustainable home.
At Home-Start Glasgow South, we have a dedicated Thriving Homes Co-ordinator who works with families to help ensure a safe and affordable home, provides support with budgeting and bills to prevent families falling into debt and works with relevant housing associations and other partner agencies to advocate for families.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the work of the Thriving Homes Co-ordinator at Home-Start Glasgow South. No-one else understood their situation and could provide vital support. The Thriving Homes Co-ordinator was able to bridge the gap in services to help the family” Health Visitor
Another main theme for this week was Communities and Volunteers. The cost of living has impacted us all, and rising costs are a continuous challenge for many of the families that we are supporting. Our staff and volunteers have been receiving training over the last year to further their knowledge and understanding on money matters and help that is available, so we are best able to support families through navigating the cost of living.
On Wednesday, we welcomed David Cantwell from Nationwide Building Society, who provided a session for our team around information we can offer to families to help with budgeting, benefits, family meals and energy efficiency.
We are also joined regularly at our Warm Places by a wide variety of partner organisations including Nationwide, Money Matters, and our local Citizens Advice Bureau. This gives families attending the opportunity to have an informal chat and gain guidance or further support around any issues that they are experiencing.
