The reality of poverty in Stroud – and what is being done about it – is the topic of our next Cloud Café online discussion, on Wednesday March 2.
A panel of speakers will discuss the rising number of children in Stroud living in low-income families. In the UK 13% of children live in food insecure households, 12% of adults living with children report skipping meals, while 4% of adults with children report going for a whole day without eating.
The debate will explore what we know about poverty in the UK and here in Stroud, and what different organisations are doing about it. Participants will discuss where the gaps may be and what more needs to be done. Following the presentations there will be an opportunity for audience experiences, discussion and debate.
The event is free to attend but there will be the chance to make donations, which will go to supporting food hubs.
The meeting is the latest in Stroud District Green Party’s regular Cloud Café debates. Organiser Elizabeth Lee said: “Poverty is a political issue – there should be no place for it in the 21st century.”
The speakers
Jade Bashford works for the Real Farming Trust on a UK-wide project to address food poverty and food sovereignty. She has worked on equality and community building in the food and farming sector for 30 years, seeking practical systemic solutions to injustice with the Soil Association and Community Land Advisory Service. She presently volunteers for Trinity Food Hub in Stroud, is an owner of Stroud Brewery and is engaged in community life in Stroud;
Robin Burgess has worked in the charity or public sector for over 40 years, mostly as a charity CEO or in policy and strategy, especially related to poverty, addictions, homelessness, problem gambling and quality improvement in the NHS. Robin has been a volunteer and managed or worked with volunteers throughout his career. His current charity, the Northampton Hope Centre, provides a wide range of services to people in poverty and homelessness and hosts a local Equalities group.
Lynsey Kelleher is founder of the Uplands Community Hub in Stroud, a supportive network offering food and practical support. She is a single mum to four children and has been on Universal Credit since she lost her business in 2020, partly as a result of the pandemic.
To join the meeting, which takes place from 7.30pm to 9pm (or to get a link to watch the recording another time), register here:
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash