INSPIRATIONAL anti-poverty groups in the region have been chosen to feature in a national charity’s 2021 calendar.
Social justice charity Church Action on Poverty has produced a photo calendar for the first time, showcasing the work of people and projects making a difference around the UK.
Three of the 12 projects featured are from the North-East. January’s page features The Cedarwood Trust from North Shields, May’s features Penny Walters from Food Power Newcastle, and December’s features Thrive Teesside in Stockton.
The Cedarwood Trust has been supporting people in Meadow Well in North Shields for 40 years, ensuring people are not cut adrift. Staff speak out against systems that increase poverty, and worked wonders during the lockdowns to ensure people had food and someone to talk to, distributing hot meals and tackling isolation.
Food Power Newcastle helps people identify solutions to poverty in their neighbourhoods. One of the members, Penny Walters from Byker, also volunteers locally, and has taken part in international and national media work and campaigns to challenge policies that sustain poverty.
Thrive Teesside is a community-based organisation that harnesses creative ideas, wisdom and experience in Stockton to bring about change. It is led by local people and works with other groups nationally to shine a light on injustice and inspire others.
Also featuring is York Food Justice Alliance coordinates much local food provision and redistribution in the city, but co-chairs Sydnie Corley and Mary Passeri also speak up about the underlying causes of hunger, and press for solutions.
They have worked on national campaigns and with the media to improve public understanding.
Gavin Aitchison, who coordinated the project, said: “Church Action on Poverty has always worked with community organisations to highlight the root causes of poverty and to ensure people with experience are at the forefront of the work to end poverty. We’ve had strong links in the North East for many years, and Cedarwood, Thrive and Food Power Newcastle are an inspiration in their own areas and across the anti-poverty movement.”
Each project’s story will be told in more depth at church-poverty.org.uk throughout 2021. Calendars are £6 each and can be bought at https://churchpoverty.netdonor.net/page/71942/donate/1
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