Perthshire’s young to create Poverty manifesto

Credit Ian Potter

Region’s youth to shape future policy

Youngsters in Perth and Kinross are being invited to shape local policy and change by creating a Young Person’s Anti-Poverty Manifesto.

Despite a 2.5% reduction in child poverty in recent years, over 5000 children in the region live in poverty and pockets of localised and rural hardship remain stubbornly apparent.

Now the area’s young people, urban and rural, are being asked for their ideas to tackle poverty and make Perth and Kinross a fairer place for everyone to live.

Injustice

The creation of a Youth Manifesto will take place during the nationwide Challenge Poverty Week in October which brings together individuals, communities and organisations to highlight and help tackle the injustice of poverty.

The work with the region’s youngsters is being led by the multi-partner Perth and Kinross Anti-Poverty Taskforce (APTF) as part of a wider, whole-community listening exercise designed to guide future actions.

As well as inviting young people from schools, colleges, youth groups and organisations to suggest three changes they feel could help children, young people and families, APTF will also extend the opportunity to adults across the region.

During Challenge Poverty Week, from 5th to 11th October, residents of all ages will be able to add their one key idea for change to a Poverty Wall at Council-run libraries throughout Perth and in rural town and village libraries.

The APTF is also looking to bring people with lived experience, third sector bodies, community groups, and public sector services for a ‘Community Conversation’, focusing on poverty.

The event, on October 8th, - featuring a speaker from The Poverty Alliance - will provide an opportunity to share experiences, explore key challenges, and consider how services and organisations can work together.

Reaching decision makers

Following the week of activity, the APTF will summarise the community’s suggestions in a theme-based vision entitled: ‘What Perth and Kinross told us’, using those ideas to push for positive change.

The Young Person’s Manifesto will be delivered to key local and national decision makers in the first week of November, illustrated using artwork by primary school children who will be asked what a good and fair place to live, looks like - for them.

“This is about giving the whole community a voice during Challenge Poverty Week. It is about their ideas shaping future action.

“We want to talk about poverty, and raise awareness, but we also want to bring forward suggestions for solutions. It is important that communities across the whole of Perth and Kinross, in Perth itself, and in towns and villages across the area, have a voice,” said APTF Chair and CEO of PKAVS, Shaheena Din.

“The Young Person’s Anti-Poverty Manifesto is important because young people deserve a say on shaping the Perth and Kinross they want to see for the future, which is better and fairer for everyone.

“They may want to see changes in transport, more opportunity, access to food or family support. It is up to them. They can tell us their 3 ideas to help make a difference and these will be presented to those tasked with making those decisions.

“We are really looking forward to hearing those ideas, from primary schools to adults and charities. We want to make sure their ideas help guide the future,” added Juana Sahagun, Anti-Poverty Taskforce Manager.

Everyone can contribute

APTF representatives will be reaching out to schools, colleges and organisations in the coming days to build participation ahead of Challenge Poverty Week.

To get involved, visit your local library between 5th to 11th October to share ideas on how to make Perth and Kinross fairer for all.

To join the Community Conversation on 8th October, or to share ideas on tackling poverty, contact hayley.gardiner@thirdsectorpk.org.uk