HAVE YOUR SAY: Tackling poverty in Allerdale
Last updated at 13:04, Friday, 01 March 2013
Two West Cumbrian organisations are helping to tackle poverty.
Allerdale council and Allerdale Disability Association in Workington are both working to help people suffering hardship.
The council’s scrutiny board has approved a draft strategy to tackle issues such as access to credit and healthy food and education, which it hopes will help people overcome poverty.
The priorities are:
- Increasing the sustainability of the borough’s credit union,
- Promoting an end legal loan sharks campaign,
- Working with partners to expand education and outreach work to develop financial awareness and money management,
- Increasing the number of foodbank outlets,
- Making sure its staff are trained in how to help with benefit claims.
The draft strategy will go before Allerdale’s executive for approval in March.
Meanwhile Allerdale Disability Association is set to top the £3 million in mobility and care benefits it helped to secure for thousands of people in West Cumbria last year.
The association, based at the Curwen Centre at Curwen Park, helps people to apply for benefits like Disability Living Allowance, Employment Allowance, Attendance Allowance and any other disability-related benefit.
From April 1 to October, 31 last year, the association helped to secure £1,707,884 for Allerdale and South Lakes.
In Allerdale, Workington received £1,391,941, Cockermouth got £219,238.32. Maryport £21,413.60, Silloth £19,138.60, Aspatria and Wigton £16,387.80, and Keswick £7,758.40.
Stella Howarth, association chairman, said: “I think these figures show the need for the association is there and there is a continuing demand for the services provided.”
The association, which opened in June 1976, provides information, advice and support to people of all ages with physical and mental disabilities, their families and carers.
First published at 12:43, Friday, 01 March 2013
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk
Obviously the hoards of people not posting comments at this article are all poverty stricken to the extent that they are getting by with their internet connection, iPhone contract, Sky subscription, car(s), 3 rugrats in quinnybuzz prams, fags, booze and days/nights in the pub and probably a feeling a bit "morally wrong" shouting about it when they can't manage anymore. Wry smiley.
Have your say
What Poverty?
All I see around West Cumbria are young kids, maybe just 5 years old with mobile phones, iPods, designed trainers and their parents talking on mobiles smoking their heads off stood outside the social security buildings waiting for their hand outs. If these people are poverty stricken then take their mobiles, iPods etc off them and tell them to use their money on things that they need.Posted by Andy on 8 March 2013 at 09:00