This book tackles poverty and policy issues in the UK by discussing successful projects and practices, across lots of short chapters. The first section provides a brief history overview of poverty in the UK over the past two hundred years and discusses the question of why the UK, as a wealthy western nation, still has a poverty issue. It discusses various vulnerable groups and contextual factors which lead to these inequalities. The second section articulates what anti-poverty work is and shares project examples from across the country where anti-poverty workers are supporting people to survive and then to thrive. Lived experiences voices are articulated to present examples of poverty being experienced. This book draws on academic and practitioner work and aims to equip the activist and inform the student, academic and policy maker.

Sarah Page is an Associate Professor in Social Justice and Social Learning at Staffordshire University and teaches on Action on Poverty, Mentoring and Criminology courses.

 

Martin Coates is Lecturer on the MA Leadership in Action on Poverty, and Social Welfare Law, Policy and Advice Practice degree at Staffordshire University, UK. Martin has over 20 years of experience of working social welfare field of law, policy and advice.

 

Julie Tipping is Senior Lecturer and the Course Leader for the MA Leadership in Action on Poverty at Staffordshire University, UK; she also teaches on the Social Welfare Law, Policy and Advice Practice degree.

 

Juliette Frangos is Senior Lecturer at Staffordshire University, UK, and Course Leader for the Certificate of Credit in Money Advice Practice; she also teaches on the MA Leadership in Action on Poverty and the Social Welfare Law, Policy and Advice Practice degree.

 

Katy Goldstrawis Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Care at Staffordshire University, UK.

Section 1: defining the poverty issue.-1 Introduction.- 2 Defining Poverty.- 3 A History of Poverty.- 4 The Stigmatisation of Poverty.- 5 Families in poverty.- 6 Addictions, Sexual Exploitation and Poverty.- 7 Poverty as a Public Health and Community Safety Concern.- 8 Welfare Reform: A Solution or Driver of Poverty?.- 9 Supply and demand: the need for debt advice specialists and how we create them.- 10 Poverty and precarious work.- 11 Lived experience of prison and probation and employment challenges.- 12 Experiencing homelessness and attempts to eliminate homelessness.- 13 Seeking asylum and refuge.- 14 Carbon pathways: The interplay between Poverty and climate change in the UK.- Section 2: anti-poverty work examples.- 15 The Hull We Want.- 16 The role Childrens Hospices can play in tackling poverty in the UK.- 17 Addressing childrens food poverty in a rural county.- 18 Trussell Trust food poverty and Jo Hill Joanna Ralphs-Hill.- 19 Addressing digital poverty through communityengagement.- 20 Housing First in England an uncertain future.- 21 Preventing food poverty: light at the end of the tunnel? 22. 'Period poverty in Stoke-on-Trent, UK: new insights into gendered poverty and the lived experiences of austerity.- 23 Raising Voices: Acting against poverty through lived experiences and creativity.- 24 Insight through experience:  Who decides what positive practice looks like?.- 25 Faith Based Work to Tackle Poverty.- 26 The 100 Year Plan: Planning for Change, Long Term.- 27 Visioning for the Future.