How can we END HUNGER in the UK? Join the Big Conversation!

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1 Ending Hunger in the UK pages 9 10 John Atherton RIP page 11 Living Wage update page 5 autumn Overcoming stigma page 14 How can we END HUNGER in the UK? Join the Big Conversation!

2 help to build a church of the poor What are you doing in your community? What help and support do you need from us? Join the conversation, share inspiring stories, raise funds to increase our impact When we look at people in poverty, do we see a problem or do we recognise the face of Jesus Christ? Church Action on Poverty annual conference Manchester, Saturday 19 November 2016 Prayers and shared worship Inspiring stories from churches, projects and people with lived experience of poverty Roundtable conversations and discussions share your own experiences and ideas Speakers exploring the challenges and opportunities for a church of the poor Panel discussions Use the enclosed leaflet or visit org.uk/conference to book your place Rachel Lampard is Vice President of Methodist Conference Church Action on Poverty Sunday 26 February 2017 Hold a soup lunch or take a collection: raise funds to build a Church of the Poor Pray and worship together Free resources available soon Register now at sunday

3 3 together we can End Hunger in the UK Our Director Niall Cooper invites you to be part of a powerful new movement. This month sees the launch of the new End Hunger UK campaign, by Church Action on Poverty with a whole host of partner organisations working on food poverty including Trussell Trust, Fareshare, Magic Breakfast and Oxfam. Over the next two years, the campaign will seek to build a powerful movement for food justice in the UK, and to call on the Government to step up to the plate and play its part in tackling the scandal of food poverty and hunger in what remains the sixth wealthiest nation on the planet. Read more about the campaign and how you can get involved in the Big Conversation on Ending Hunger on page 8 and please consider donating to the campaign using the form on the back page. Building a Church of the Poor is the theme for this year s annual conference in Manchester on 19 November, and for Church Action on Poverty Sunday 26 February Book your place to find out more about this new programme, that we will be developing over the next few months, and how you can be part of building a Church of the Poor where you are. You can also read about several pieces of work which form part of our strand of work of creating opportunities for people themselves in poverty to have a more powerful voice in contributing to the civic and public life of their communities and challenging stigma, including the Salford Poverty Truth Commission (page 7) and Powerlines an exciting Arts Council funded collaboration being showcased at the Manchester Literature Festival this month (pages 14 15). Hopefully something of interest for everyone! in this issue 4 news 5 partners: stop trying to fix the poor The Methodist Vice President on a church of the poor 6 act: Living Wage Changes in the Greater Manchwester campaign 7 in progress: Salford Poverty Truth Commission Update on the launch of a new project 8 act: End Hunger UK Take part in the BIg Conversation! 11 supporters: A supporting pillar Obituary for John Atherton 12 pray: the crumbs that fall Worship by Ali Marshall 14 in progress: poverty media unit Training and poetry 16 give: End Hunger UK Support the new campaign Church Action on Poverty Unit 28 Sandpiper Court Water s Edge Business Park Salford M5 3Ez info@church-poverty.org.uk facebook.com/churchpoverty twitter.com/churchpoverty Registered Charity no Company no we ve moved Please note our new address. give Your donation can help End Hunger in the UK See back cover act Be part of the Big Conversation about Ending Hunger in the UK See page 8 pray Pray for an End to Hunger in your worship See page 12

4 spark news from Church Action on Poverty autumn 2016 news Bob Holman RIP Bob Holman (below) died aged 79 in June this year, of motor neurone disease. Holman was a Christian community activist who inspired many people in Church Action on Poverty s networks with his writings, and his decision to live and work as part of disadvantaged communities. A plan to solve poverty by 2030 In September, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) launched a report based on four years of research, outlining a plan to tackle UK poverty for the first generation of Brexit children. Their report highlights the huge cost to the UK of current poverty levels, and sets out policies which would address the problems to be funded through increased taxes on the richest people in the UK. Find out more at A Northern Prayerhouse Our new End Hunger UK campaign (see page 9) will be highlighted in a basket of prayers moving from community to community across the North of England during October and November The Church Urban Fund s Together Network and partner churches across the North of England will organise prayer events and activities with a focus on tackling poverty and deprivation. To join, contact together@ together-lancashire.org.uk A Church of the poor? During the summer, Church Action on Poverty took part with Word on the Street and JubileePlus in organising a major national survey of Christian social action, with an emphasis on our Church of the Poor theme. Hundreds of people have shared stories of what they are doing to build what Pope Francis has called a poor church, for the poor. They are also telling us what help they need from Church Action on Poverty and from the national denominations. We will publish the findings of the survey soon. We will also be doing more detailed action research, visiting local churches in different regions to discuss the questions with them. Scotland to reinstate child poverty target The Scottish Government announced in July that it is bringing forward a Child Poverty Bill, which will reinstate the target of eradicating child poverty that has been abandoned by the Westminster Government. Nicola Sturgeon said that her Government profoundly disagrees with the decision to drop the target. Church Action on Poverty worked with the Joint Pubic Issues Team and others earlier this year on a campaign which persuaded the Government in Westminster to continue an official measure of income-based child poverty but they are no longer legally bound by the target of eradicating child poverty by Thinking afresh but deaf to the cry of the poor In June, the Church of England s House of Bishops published a discussion document called Thinking Afresh About Welfare. Church Action on Poverty found it very disappointing. In a response which we published online and shared with the bishops who endorsed the document, we pointed out that the document bases a significant proportion of its argument on myths about poverty and benefits which others in the churches have been working to demolish for some years now. The paper also provoked angry and disappointed responses from clergy working at the coalface of poverty. Read some of the discussion around this document at blog.churchpoverty.org.uk/2016/06/27/thinkingafresh

5 partners 5 stop trying to fix the poor This is an edited version of a powerful speech given by Rachel Lampard at this summer s Methodist Conference, as she assumed the role of Vice President. The prophet Amos offers a serious reflection for the faithful: Do you know what I want? I want justice oceans of it. I want fairness rivers of it. That s what I want. That s all I want. (translation from The Message) And we live in a world where we need oceans of justice. In the UK, more than 1 in 4 children live in poverty, and 300,000 of them faced destitution, the severest form of poverty. From working for the Methodist Church for over 15 years, I know the Church is committed to justice. But how do we embody God s command to do justice? When we look at the poor and those in need of justice, do we see a problem or do we recognise the face of Jesus Christ? Our society, our government and our media have increasingly problematised people living in poverty. It has become common to talk about the pathways to poverty, of family breakdown, educational failure, worklessness and dependency, addiction and serious personal debt. It s true that you will often find these problems amongst families who experience poverty. But you will also find them amongst families who are wealthy. These are not causes of or pathways to poverty; they are a mixture of causes, effects and the messiness of life that rich and poor alike must face. And have you noticed that they are all presented as the fault of the individuals? Your relationship broke down; you failed your exams; you don t work; you are addicted; you are in debt. Being in poverty is no longer about being poor. It s about being at fault. Listen instead to someone in poverty describe what poverty means to them: Poverty is not being able to do things that are necessities. Things that are important like gas and electric, showers, bus fares, and having to worry that your daughter has a hole in her shoes. She needs new shoes and I don t have the money. What do I do? Do I get the gas or do I get shoes? We have problematised the poor so much that we choose to look for the mother s faults rather than address the problems and pain that not having enough money brings to her. In the Bible we read that we would encounter Jesus in three ways: through the Holy Spirit, through bread and wine, and through the poor Truly, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. We tend to be quite good at the first two of these. But when we see people in poverty, do we see the face of Jesus Christ, and want to listen and learn or do we see them as a problem, do we want to fix them and sort them out? I wonder if we as a Church sometimes struggle with the urge to fix people, to sort them out, rather than be, in Pope Francis words, a church of the poor? And how much does this relate to our desire to be the host of every party? Hospitality is a good thing. But being the host also puts us in a place of control. Do we really know and understand what it costs sometimes for people to step over the threshold, accept our agenda? What would it mean for us to become guests instead? To receive rather than assuming we only need to give? What does doing justice look like when we put ourselves into the hands of others? Perhaps we can be cautious of interpreting too literally the proverb Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Should we be rather enabling those who, for whatever reason, cannot speak, to find their voices, to speak for themselves? I hope we can then have the audacity to speak out together for justice in our shared world. Because this isn t some optional extra. This is part of the mission of the church, the kingdom of God coming on earth as it is in heaven. The mission of the church, God s mission, is to be involved not only in the alleviation of human suffering but also in the eradication of the roots of that suffering. Pity and compassion are vital responses, Christian responses, but this experience should also provoke within us the justice response, the why question. When we see people in poverty, do we see the face of Jesus Christ, and want to listen and learn or do we see them as a problem, do we want to fix them? Rachel explores the same theme in our publication Church of the Poor?, which also contains calls to action from many of the UK s other major denominations. Download it at poorchurch

6 spark act news from Church Action on Poverty autumn farewell and thank you! Church Action on Poverty supports the Greater Manchester Living Wage Campaign and hosts the Coordinator. Find out more at www. gmlivingwage.org or livingwage You can contact the new Coordinator Alec Spencer at admin@ gmlivingwage.org As Tom Skinner moves on from his role as Coordinator of the Greater Manchester Living Wage Campaign, he looks back on what has been achieved so far. I finished my work as Coordinator of the Greater Manchester Living Wage Campaign in July. After three years I feel the campaign will benefit from a fresh perspective, so I am starting work on Greater Manchester Poverty Action's Better Jobs project, hoping to change the culture of work to benefit workers in a range of ways. I will start with a huge thankyou to Church Action on Poverty supporters, because it has been one of the best experiences of my working life. It has also been one of the most effective campaigns that I've been involved in, and I believe this is because of the combination of partnership building and people-power. Partnership building Much of the time it has felt like we are going with the grain. We have walked through open doors at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, some local authorities, and many businesses, charities and trades unions. This led to the first ever Chamber in the country becoming Living Wage accredited, and 7 out of 10 local councils bringing in the Living Wage, at least for their directly employed staff. People power However, just as often, we have had to put in a lot of work to convince employers and influencers to bring in and support the Living Wage. Members of the campaign have advocated tirelessly for the Living Wage within their own organisations, such as Manchester City fans whose campaign predates the Greater Manchester Living Wage Campaign students at the University of Manchester, employees who have convinced their companies to sign up, and Living Wage employers who have brought their suppliers on board. Without this broad base of people doing what they can for the Living Wage, we would not have achieved what we have the first city region outside London to reach 100 Living Wage employers. I must also thank our partner the Living Wage Foundation, for actually setting the Living Wage rate and carrying out the accreditations. The wider network, including Church Action on Poverty supporters, have played their part, for example writing to the Co-operative Group about the Living Wage. This led to a very productive series of meetings, and while nothing is certain I am very hopeful that we can see this through and ensure the Living Wage for tens of thousands of workers across the country they could yet be the first accredited Living Wage supermarket in the country! Opportunities So where next for the campaign? We must hope to get football clubs and the biggest employer in the city the University of Manchester over the line. Each has shown some willingness to engage with the campaign, but none have yet made a firm commitment. There is also far more that we could expect from local authorities although many have reached the Living Wage level for their staff, most are not accredited Living Wage employers and may not be committed in the long term or pressuring their suppliers to ensure the rate for their workers. With the dynamics of local politics changing due to devolution of powers, and with some mayoral candidates pledging to support the Living Wage, there is huge potential here. Whichever employers and sectors we target in the future, under the coordination of my successor Alec Spencer, and with many wonderful people still involved, I believe it will go from strength to strength.

7 in progress 7 seeds of truth Church Action on Poverty is supporting the creation of a new Poverty Truth Commission in Salford. We asked Sarah Whitehead of Community Pride, who is supporting and facilitating the commission, to tell us the story so far. The journey so far for the Salford Poverty Truth Commission has been one of uncertainty, opportunity and excitement. At the start of the process we were working only with a seed of an idea, a table full of passionate people and a faith in what this could develop into. Throughout the last year the seed has started to sprout and grow and we are hopeful for what will bloom from it. Back in May we started gathering a diverse group of 15 Salford residents that experience poverty to be grassroots commissioners and share their experiences of life and poverty in Salford, together with 15 public life commissioners influencers in business, third sector and public life. The idea behind the project has come from Leeds Poverty Truth Commission, who believe that Nothing About Us Without Us Is For Us, and that the people who are affected by decisions made around poverty should be involved in the decision-making process as equals. The grassroots commissioners worked together closely to plan and stage a very moving public launch event to share their stories and welcome the public life commissioners to the process. We were delighted to invite to the stage our sponsors Paul Dennett the Salford City Mayor and Bishop of Salford John Arnold to help us launch the Commission. Bishop John told us: Poverty is a waste. It is a waste of lives, a waste of talents and a waste of dignity. People in poverty do not want handouts, they want a sense of dignity to be able to look after their own sustainable futures. What followed were some very honest, at times heart-wrenching yet uplifting stories of determination and hope from our grassroots commissioners. The words they used to describe poverty were... desperate, worthless, bailiffs, listen, exclusion, torment, debilitating, fear Their stories, photographs and poems of addiction, grief, mental health, homelessness, family breakdown and repeated systemic failures moved the audience to tears. Their courage in standing up so bravely to speak out was applauded by a broad mix of local people, community development workers, councillors, activists, social researchers and local media. The event was finished with words from the public life commissioners about what they had witnessed this morning words such as survival, determination and hope. Since the launch, the public life commissioners and grassroots commissioners have met to get to know each other. We held an informal BBQ for people to eat together, introduce themselves and talk before we begin the more difficult process of discussing and tackling the issues of poverty in Salford today. One grassroots commissioner Alain, who came here from Southern Cameroon seeking sanctuary, spent a lot of time speaking with Rebecca Long Bailey (Salford MP and Shadow Cabinet Minister) about his situation, and reflected to us after the event I cannot believe I have had this opportunity to meet such important people who are interested in me, never in 9 years living here have I ever met such important people. In Cameroon you could never even stand near a politician, they have so much security around them. Hear the Commissioners stories and follow the Commission s work at www. salfordpovertytruth. org.uk or search for Salfordpoverty on Facebook or Twitter The Poverty Truth Commission s 15 grassroots commissioners and 15 pubic life commissioners will work together for 12 months to identify solutions to three key problems associated wioth poverty in the city. You can see the impact Commissions have made at www. leedspovertytruth.org.uk and poverty-truth-commission

8 spark news from Church Action on Poverty autumn 2016 what will it take to END HUNGER in the UK? Church Action on Poverty Director Niall Cooper invites you to join the Big Conversation about food poverty and hunger. At the Greenbelt festival in August, people visited our foodless café and signed up to help End Hunger in the UK This month sees the launch of the major new End Hunger UK campaign by Church Action on Poverty and a host of partner organisations engaged in tackling food poverty including Child Poverty Action Group, Fareshare, Magic Breakfast, Oxfam and the Trussell Trust. The campaign is launching with a 6-month Big Conversation. We are inviting local churches, food banks, community food projects and concerned individuals to answer the question: What will it take to End Hunger in the UK and what role do Governments at Westminster (and elsewhere across the UK) need to play to make this a reality? What will it take to realise a vision of a Britain where everyone has access to good food and no one need go to bed hungry? What will it take to ensure that children can live free from the damaging impacts of hunger on their health, attainment and opportunity? What will it take to enable families to afford good food on a regular basis through an appropriate combination of work and benefits? How can we return to a situation in which no one needs to go hungry, because the benefits safety net provides us all with the protection we need in time of crisis? And how can we move from meeting immediate needs to campaigning to change the systems that create these needs? How can we achieve food justice, in which the human right to food and health is combined with sustainable food production, education and employment? On this, the signs are encouraging. The Trussell Trust alone has a network of more than 400 food banks mostly run by local churches, and supported week in week out more than 30,000 regular volunteers. Add to that an even greater number of independent food banks, breakfast clubs, local churches, and other groups who run community cafés, cooking classes, growing clubs. What if just a fraction of this vast army of people involved on the ground put their energy behind a campaign to tackle the root causes of food poverty and hunger in the UK? And what of wider public attitudes? In 2015, Oxfam commissioned an opinion poll to find out the British public s view of food poverty, with some encouraging results: almost three quarters of the population agree that there is something fundamental wrong in our society if people have to use food banks in the UK and six in 10 agree that it is possible to reduce the amount that people use food banks in this country. More surprisingly, one in six if asked would be very likely to sign a petition or write to their MP or government representative about people needing to use food banks. Taken together, these demonstrate that there is a huge, and to date largely untapped, potential to build a powerful food justice movement to campaign for an end to food poverty and hunger in the UK. There is an opportunity at the moment that needs to be harnessed, to build on this local passion before it dissipates. Sign up and order resources to get involved using the menu opposite, and encourage your church or food bank to get involved in the Big End Hunger Conversation!

9 act 9 Be part of the new campaign to tackle the scandal of people going hungry in the planet s fifth richest country. We launch on 16 October! Fill your plate with your answer to the question: What one thing could the Government do to End Hunger in the UK? Place your order overleaf from our menu of action for change Tear out the page and post it to us

10 spark news from Church Action on Poverty autumn 2016 MENU Help ensure that everyone in the UK has access to good food, and nobody goes to bed hungry. Order your materials for the new campaign now! Starters FF Send me actions and updates FF Send me campaign wristbands Suggested donation 1 each - enclose a cheque payable to Church Action on Poverty Main courses FF My church, food bank or group will take part in the Big Conversation We ll send you an event pack FF I ll collect signatures and petition my MP to End Hunger We ll or post you a petition pack Desserts FF I ll reflect on what the Bible says about hunger We ll send you our Bble study notes FF My church or housegroup will pray for an End to Hunger We ll you worship resources My details Name: Church or group: address: Address: Postcode: You can order any combination of starters or main courses. If you order a dessert, you also have to order at least one starter or main course. If you order at least two other items from the menu, you can have a FREE wristband! Return this form to Freepost RTTY JGEE JJEZ, Church Action on Poverty, Unit 28 Sandpiper Court, Water s Edge Business Park, Modwen Road, Salford M5 3EZ

11 supporters 11 a supporting pillar Hilary Russell and John Battle worked alongside John Atherton in the founding of Church Action on Poverty. They have shared these memories and tributes to John, who passed away in June. On hearing of John Atherton s death, many of us will feel that as well as losing a colleague and much loved friend, a supporting pillar has gone from our lives. Having known him for over 30 years, that is certainly how we feel. It is especially poignant that his death comes at a time when we desperately need wise theological counsel in public life. John not only brought intellectual rigour and the capacity to bridge different academic disciplines, but also ensured that he remained grounded in the realities of life for those at the sharp end of public policy. Others will write about his immense contribution to the William Temple Foundation, but it is also important to recall that he was a founding father of Church Action on Poverty. He wrote The Scandal of Poverty: Priorities for the Emerging Church in In that, he set out five moral tests of social and economic policy. These five questions themselves continue to be as relevant as ever as part of his enduring legacy. In what ways and to what extent do policies: Care for those least able to help themselves? Reduce those divisions in society which separate people and communities from each other and generate attitudes of superiority and deference? Encourage people to have more and more say over matters which affect their daily lives and the life of society? Encourage a view of society operating as society, not just as a bulwark against wrongdoing but also as a promoter of good relationships? Promote the viability of society and the communities within it? John said Given that the five tests begin to offer a way of making sense of social vision, how can the Church appropriately and realistically pursue the demands of such vision within the political arena? It was in trying to answer that question that Church Action on Poverty was formed in 1982, with John as one of the main movers and shakers. For this and for many other reasons, many of us are profoundly grateful to him. How can the Church pursue the demands of its social vision within the political arena?

12 spark news from Church Action on Poverty autumn 2016 the crumbs that fall gather Ali Marshall of the Iona Community wrote this worship service, inspired by our campaign to End Hunger (see page 9). It was used at the Greenbelt festival in August. Call to worship All you who are thirsty this is the place for water All you who are hungry, this is the place to be fed Why spend your earnings on what is not food? Why pay for that which fails to satisfy? Here, without money here, without price, all may enjoy the bread of heaven. from A Wee Worship Book Wild Goose Resource Group, published by Wild Goose Resource Publications) Jesus says, I am the Way for you and so we come to follow Christ Jesus says, I am the Truth for you and so we come to dwell in the light Jesus says, I am the Life for you and so we come, leaving behind all else to which we cling. from The Iona Abbey Worship Book ( Wild Goose Resource Group, published by Wild Goose Resource Publications) share the word Gospel The feast for 5,000 men, plus women and children, is the only miracle that all four gospel writers record, so it must be important. Please turn to the people next to you and recount what you remember of the story. [Read Mark 6:30 44] Matthew makes this a stark contrast with the debauched and violent meal in Herod s palace that culminated in John, being beheaded so Jesus was mourning the death of his cousin at the time. Only John tells us of Andrew finding the little boy with his picnic. Turn again to the people next to you. Which bits of the story had you forgotten or not heard? Were there any surprises here? What did you miss out? Why might that be? I wonder which bits we miss of the story of our own communities... Song Sing hey for the carpenter or Mungu ni Mwema Opening talk Last year, nearly 2 million people needed food aid in this country. Most people using food banks are resourceful, very careful with money, planning in detail, researching as best they can (often without the internet). Many skip meals themselves so there is something on the table for the children. But they have no resilience if something is beyond their control: a cold snap in spring meaning heating is needed for longer, a growth spurt in a child that means shoes pinch. People are hungry, children are under-nourished in our neighbourhoods and our communities. Song Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison Old Testament God is generous and gives out of abundance. So how do people get locked into poverty? How did God's people became slaves in Egypt, after first going in search of bread and finding their brother in a place of authority and responsibility there? [Read the story in Genesis 47 and 48] Joseph sold back the grain he had taken by taxation when harvests had been good, at a price so high that eventually the people had to sell themselves and become slaves. Not so far from the reality for many people today: clever tax avoidance schemes for some, increasing taxes on the poor. Helder Camara, the Brazilian Archbishop and liberation theologian, famously said, "When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist.

13 pray 13 respond to the word There are signs of hope... Local ventures to create and support sustainable local food economies, not-forprofit shops, local organic veg bags like Locavore in Glasgow, or the woodlands community garden offering free healthy vegetarian food, cookery classes, help to grow, or Real Food Wythenshawe near Manchester that helps the local community to grow and cook their own food. [Add other examples from your community.] It does not have to be like this. We can make a difference, we can be change-makers. Church Action on Poverty is launching a campaign to End Hunger in the UK, wanting our government to acknowledge the scale of the problem and the need for urgent action to address it. [Make materials available for people to take away, or talk about your church s plans to get involved see page 9.] As Jesus said in our reading: You feed them. Song We will take what you offer, we will live by your word. We will love one another and be led by you, Lord. By John Bell, from There is One Among Us ( Wild Goose Resource Group, published by Wild Goose Resource Publications) Intercessions Holy God, though this world depends on your grace, it is governed and tended by mortals. So we pray for those who walk the corridors of power in the parliaments of this and other lands, whose judgements we value or fear. Through our lives and by our prayers, your kingdom come We pray for those who hold key positions in the worlds of finance, business and industry, whose decisions may profit some or impoverish many. Silence May they always value people higher than profit; may they never impose burdens on the poor which they would not carry themselves; and may they never divorce money from morality, or ownership from stewardship. Through our lives and by our prayers, your kingdom come We pray for those in the caring professions, who look after and listen to kind, cruel and cantankerous folk and for those making decisions regarding the nation s health and welfare. Silence May they always sense the sanctity of life, and every person s uniqueness; may they help and heal by their interest as well as their skill; and may they be saved from tiredness and an excess of demands. Through our lives and by our prayers, your kingdom come And let us remember those for whom we are responsible and to whom we are accountable in what we do today. Silence May we show to them the thoughtfulness, tolerance and kindness of Jesus. Through our lives and by our prayers, your kingdom come Lord hear our prayers, and if today we might be the means by which you answer the prayers of others then may you find us neither deaf nor defiant, but keen to fulfil your purpose, for Jesus sake Amen from A Wee Worship Book ( Wild Goose Resource Group, published by Wild Goose Resource Publications) sending out As people leave, offer each an oatcake and suggest they share it with someone who has not been present at worship. Closing responses From where we are, to where you need us Jesus, now lead on From the security of what we know to the adventure of what you will reveal Jesus, now lead on To refashion the fabric of this world until it resembles the shape of your kingdom Jesus, now lead on Because good things have been prepared for those who love God Jesus, now lead on from A Wee Worship Book ( Wild Goose Resource Group, published by Wild Goose Resource Publications)

14 spark news from Church Action on Poverty autumn 2016 stand up and tell the world Our Poverty Media Coordinator Jackie Cox has stories to share from our work helping people to challenge the stigma of poverty. With so much work going on to challenge stigma and fight poverty, we thought it would be a good idea to organise a residential event where people with lived experience of poverty could meet each other, talk about the way they are active in their communities and find ways of supporting one another. So 17 adults and seven children headed for Windermere in the Lake District at the end of July for 48 hours. We stayed at the wonderful Windermere Centre, where the welcome is warm, the food tasty and plentiful and the rooms are clean and peaceful. By the time we sat down to the evening BBQ, people were already making new friends and sharing their stories. We heard about projects at ATD 4th World, the Salford Poverty Truth Commission (see page 8), Self-Reliant Groups for women in Openshaw, the Manchester Literature Festival (see opposite) and the Community Voices project being run by Greater Manchester Poverty Action. A session with Jonathan Heawood from Impress, an independent press regulator, gave people the opportunity to contribute to a code of standards for print and web media. The group then turned their attention to food poverty in the UK. Working with poet and author Tony Walsh, we found ways of telling the story of food poverty through poetry. The group have produced two fantastic poems which we hope will be part of the launch of the End Hunger UK campaign in October (see page 9). This was a truly enriching 48 hours and I am always amazed by the resilience, the honesty, and the talent that emerges when a group such as this comes together. Stand up and tell the world one thing about poverty Poverty is a waste of potential. Poverty may mean a lack of financial resources however it can refuel one s faith in humanity. Poverty is not an acceptable consequence of birth. Poverty needs to be eradicated NOW! Poverty is not the best of me or you or us! Poverty child killer. It is nobody in poverty s fault: the poor can t be blamed, stigmatised or hidden away. They are us; you, me and everybody. I am shocked...that if a parent is sanctioned their child loses their free school meal....by the misery of so many people being sanctioned. I am amazed... at the true humanity with which a group of strangers can discuss the most difficult and dark parts of life. I feel warm, I feel moved, I feel humbled. by the equality of purpose at the amount of action taking place in our communities to combat hunger and food poverty

15 in progress 15 Many people in the UK don t want to hear the reality of life for many families living below the breadline, so our challenge is to find ways of telling their stories in different ways, to reach different audiences, who may then join in campaigns for change. Such an opportunity came along with some funding from the Arts Council and the vision of author David Gaffney. He wanted to create pieces of writing that would be presented as part of the Manchester Literature Festival in October this year. It was important, though, that the stories and the writing came from people with lived experience of poverty, of living on benefits, of being sanctioned and being stigmatised because they are poor. Church Action on Poverty found four different groups of people in the Salford area. Each group worked for six weeks with a professional and published author: poet Jo Bell, flash fiction author David Gaffney, author and playwright Stephen May, and graphic novelist Darryl Cunningham. On 20 October at 6:30pm, at Manchester Central Library, the resulting pieces will be presented under the title Powerlines New Stories from the Urban Edge as part of the Manchester Literature Festival. Tickets are free but booking advised. Book on or manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk A blessing for Lily May During the project, one of the participants gave birth to a baby girl. Her group, the Broughton Writers, wrote this blessing to welcome the baby: We wish for you these simple blessings: The sound of laughter The taste of Eccles cakes and tea The sight of a fox, leaping over a gate or neon lights reflected in puddles; The sound of owls at night. We wish for you The smell of woodsmoke by a summer riverbank The smell of bulrushes in the wind The sight of cherry blossom on the streets The touch of puppies noses. We wish for you The sound of blessings, birds singing in a tree. May you always see the beauty of yourself, reflected in others eyes; may you taste the joy of a true love s lips and never find it grows bitter. We wish for you The sight of spring The smell of success whatever you want that to mean The touch of a loving man (or woman!) The taste of sweet loving lips A gurgle of content. Always look at the sky. Follow your dream. You are part of a beautiful universe. We wish you happy.

16 spark news from Church Action on Poverty autumn 2016 together, we can end hunger in the UK Please donate to help us launch a major new national campaign this autumn. End Hunger UK is based on a vision of a UK where everyone has access to good food, and no one goes to bed hungry. Food banks and other local projects make amazing efforts to help people in crisis. But the only long-term solution is for the Government to play its role, and ensure that no one goes hungry in what is still the fifth wealthiest nation on the planet. Over the next two years, we will work with national partner organisations to mobilise literally thousands of volunteers who work in community food projects across the country, and share this vision to campaign for change. I felt very ashamed having to go to food bank the first time. I couldn t do what a mum should do for my kids look after them. I couldn t even feed them To do this, we need to raise at least 20,000 from members, supporters, local churches and other partners. A donation of 10, 20 or even 100 today can help build a powerful campaign to end the scandal of people going hungry in the UK once and for all. See page 9 for ways you can help through action and prayer. And please give if you can help the launch of End Hunger to make a real impact! You can use the form below, or make a secure online donation at www. church-poverty.org.uk/appeal. Yes, I want to be part of Ending UK Hunger Name: Church or group: Address: Postcode: I would like to make a donation of o 10 o 20 o 50 o 100 o I enclose a cheque, payable to Church Action on Poverty. I would like to pay by o CAFcard o Mastercard o Switch o Visa o Other: Card number: Start date: Expiry date: Security code: Issue number: Signature: Lorna has three children and works as a school dinner lady I wish Church Action on Poverty to claim Gift Aid on this and all subsequent donations that I make. I confirm I have paid or will pay an amount of income tax and/ or capital gains tax for each tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for that tax year. I understand that other taxes such as VAT or Council Tax do not qualify. Please send updates about End Hunger UK to Return this form to Freepost RTTY JGEE JJEZ, Church Action on Poverty, Unit 28 Sandpiper Court, Water s Edge Business Park, Modwen Road, Salford M5 3EZ