ONE IN SIX CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTY

New research finds levels are on the rise

ONE in six Wokingham children are living in poverty according to new figures released this week – and these levels are expected to rise.

The borough wards most affected by child poverty are Arborfield (where 23% of households are deprived), Bulmershe (22%), Shinfield North (21%), Shinfield South (21%), Swallowfield (21%), and Norreys (21%).

And one of the borough’s leading experts on helping youngsters says that the figures released this week show that children are being put in a difficult position which is damaging for their wellbeing.

The data, published yesterday by End Child Poverty – a coalition comprising 70 different charities and advocacy groups – shows an increase in hardship for the nation’s children, especially in regions where child poverty levels are already at their highest.

Researchers from Loughborough University have investigated the variation in child poverty levels across Britain while taking into account housing costs.

The figures revealed that 17% of Wokingham’s children are affected by poverty: almost half that of neighbouring Reading, were there are almost a third of youngsters affected.

Anna Feuchtwang, Chair of the End Child Poverty coalition, said: “The Government’s own data shows that child poverty in the UK has been rising steadily in recent years. This just isn’t right.”

“Policymakers can no longer deny the depth of the problem or abandon entire areas to rising poverty. The Government must respond with a credible child poverty-reduction strategy.”

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The End Child Poverty coalition advocates that all main political parties be held accountable for their commitment to the suppression of child poverty by 2020. And they believe that reduction strategies including the reversal of austerity cuts and investments in children’s services such as education, childcare and social care are the way forward.

Wokingham children’s charity First Days, which provides quality donations of clothes, furniture, and toys to families living in poverty, have also responded to the figures.

Chair of trustees and founder Emma Cantrell said: “There has been a huge increase in the demand for everyday essentials such as school uniform, school shoes, and bags. One of the major issues we have noticed in the borough is the inequality present between children in schools. While the kids might not be familiar with the term poverty, they will notice differences in things like house sizes, parties, and holidays between their classmates.”

She added: “It is so desperately sad that some of these children are sat side-by-side with friends who come from more fortunate backgrounds but are unaware of the reason for their differences. It puts the children in a difficult position which is quite damaging for their personal wellbeing.”

Ms Cantrell established First

Days in 2013 in response to research displaying an overwhelming need to help deprived families in Berkshire.

And since launching the initiative, her team have begun to make links with local schools to work on fundraising initiatives and also help affected children.

Reflecting on the support

First Days have received from Wokingham’s schools so far, Ms Cantrell said: “The local schools have been fantastic. There is always more than can be done to educate both teachers and students about the challenges that some children face outside of the classroom, but there’s been some really inspiring efforts from the community.”

And the chair named Wellington College in Crowthorne as a notable source of help for First Days.

She said: “The school have been fantastic in terms of their support. We’ve had visits from some of the students who have assisted us in preparing donations for local families in need. The experience was also a chance for the children to gain awareness of child poverty.”

First Days also works closely with the Wokingham Food Bank, Social Services, and health visitors to provide support for less privileged families. The charity is also continuing to work on their campaign #makeuniformsaffordable which over the past four years has provided thousands of families with school equipment which they otherwise could not afford.

Despite the value which the organisation’s donations are to recipients, First Days also emphasises that a long-term view of the issue is required by the government to tackle child poverty. Ms Cantrell said: “There have been huge cuts to services and universal credit which have had a considerable impact on these figures. The cost of living has also soared over the last nine years and contributed to the rising hardship.”

Wokingham Borough Council executive member for children’s services, Cllr Pauline HelliarSymons, pointed out that while there are more deprived areas elsewhere, the council is not resting on its laurels.

She said: “The child poverty rates are comparatively low in Wokingham Borough. According to findings in the latest End Child Poverty report Wokingham has the lowest level of children living in poverty (17%), in comparison to the other Berkshire Local Authorities; Reading (31%), Slough (39%), Windsor and Maidenhead (23%), West Berkshire (22%), and Bracknell Forest (20%). And, across the South East of England, Wokingham also has the fourth lowest level of child poverty after housing is factored in.

“We do know there are children living in poverty in the borough and we take this very seriously. The council provides a range of services which aim to identify and support vulnerable children and families and narrow the gaps in outcomes.

“The Council’s Early Help service provides early response services at the right time to meet family’s needs and to keep them in control of resolving their issues and problems.

“The Council also commissions a range of voluntary and community sector providers to enable local children to have the best start in life and provide local people with access to the information, advice and support they require to resolve problems that are affecting them, including Wokingham Homestart and Citizens Advice.

“In addition, the Council’s Localities Service supports residents to achieve self-sustaining lifestyles through targeted work within local communities.

“This work includes facilitating educational, vocational and life skills training for people of all ages, and delivering a broad range of community activities and events for children such as the recent Arts Week during the Easter Holidays.”