NORTH Ayrshire Council will be ‘Challenging Poverty in North Ayrshire’ this week as part of the national Poverty Alliance Challenge Poverty Week.
A wide variety of events will be held across the area this week to raise awareness of the issue and to offer support to people across our communities.
The Council is hosting a stall in Bridgegate House today (Monday) between 12-2pm where a range of partners will be on hand to offer advice, including:
· CLASP(Community Lead Action and Support Project)
· North Ayrshire Citizens Advice Service
· North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership
· TACT (The Ayrshire Community Trust)
· Housing Welfare Reform and Financial Inclusion Team
Then, between 2-5pm there will be a ‘Fuel Poverty’ stall in Bridgegate House where a range of organisations, including Citrus Energy, Home Energy Scotland and representatives from the local Energy Advice Forum will be giving advice on how to combat fuel poverty.
Council Leader Joe Cullinane and Provost Ian Clarkson will also be visiting a number of local groups and organisations throughout the week – including the Garnock Valley Allotments Association (GVAA), Castlepark Primary School’s Breakfast Club, Dirrans Centre and Kilbirnie Health Centre - to see some of the work being done to tackle poverty in our communities.
Council Leader Joe Cullinane said: "I am delighted that North Ayrshire Council is, for the first time, taking part in Challenge Poverty Week.
“Politicians and public bodies shouldn't try to hide poverty - we should step up and challenge it. If we don't then we will never achieve our ambitions to eradicate it.
“Challenge Poverty Week gives us an opportunity to highlight the reality of living in poverty but more importantly shine a light on the work being done to address it. That's why I am looking forward to working with partners and groups over this week."
Provost Ian Clarkson is also supporting North Ayrshire Foodbank and has asked Council staff to help out by donating food to the group.
Don’t forget to follow the week’s activities on our social media channels using the hashtag #CPW16
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