Working together for a brighter future for young people

Over the last few years councils across the country have been declaring ‘poverty emergencies’. In Cumbria, this includes Barrow and South Lakeland where Poverty Truth Commissions have been established. I have written previously about the proliferation of food banks and food projects (four in South Lakes six years ago and now 24 at the last count). What were once small scale, amateur-ish operations have become slick, well organised and operating at scale. Some politicians have described the growth in food banks as a success. I don’t share that view. 

I have recently joined the Poverty Truth Commission for Barrow and met a group of local people at the public launch. They have been meeting to share their experiences and write their stories ahead of a year-long process. These ‘community commissioners’ will meet once a month with ‘civic commissioners’ to explore what can be done to improve the lives of people living in poverty. The civic commissioners include senior figures from public life and business. I am a civic commissioner. 

What I heard and saw was raw, moving, and tragic. The community commissioners range in age from late teens to their seventies. All showed incredible courage, resilience and determination and in the few months they have been meeting, a strong bond. Some had been abused or beaten in early life and experienced serious health issues. In every instance people had been let down, by partners, by parents, by housing providers and the benefits system. What struck me was that all of us, if faced with the same challenges, would have fared no better. A common thread in all their experiences had been the role of local charities in helping them. They spoke of the lifesaving services and emotional and practical support that has helped turn their lives around. I look forward to spending time with this incredible group of people, learning with them and working hard to influence change for the better.

Life for many young people is hard, especially since the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. There are problems with mental health and wellbeing, anxiety about returning to school, social isolation, bereavement, eating disorders, physical health, family issues. Better Tomorrows is the Community Foundation’s largest programme supporting young people across the country, which is now celebrating its first anniversary. It was developed by a partnership of local charities including the Cumbria Youth Alliance and Francis C Scott Trust and is led by David Beeby, former High Sheriff of Cumbria and chair of the Community Foundation. It is an outstanding example of how philanthropy can bring people, ideas and money together to make a significant difference to an issue. In its first year, £816,000 has been given to 19 organisations creating 26 new youth work roles. Alongside this nearly £220,000 has been spent on the creation of new, accredited youth work training with over 30 people taking part to date. Over 40 different funders have contributed to the £1.3 million raised with more than 1,000 young people benefiting. As the cost-of-living crisis bites deeper I’m proud that the Better Tomorrows Fund will change the next generation of young people’s lives for the better.