In 1967, Ken Loach's film Cathy Come Home was a seminal moment in the national consciousness about homelessness. The film led directly to the formation of the national housing charity Shelter. I, Daniel Blake is a Cathy Come Home for our times. Loach has once again shone an unflinching spotlight on poverty in the UK today. Its a film… Continue reading The harrowing reality of UK poverty: ‘I, Daniel Blake’ [Review]
Category: Poverty
“In reaching out to the lost, I think I have found myself” – The Genius of the Poor [review]
“Somewhat ironically, my 12-month journey amongst the unlearned and unschooled has taught me more insights and life lessons than all my privileged education had achieved back home.” In 2012, Londoner Thomas Graham arrived in the Philippines expecting to stay one month. His assignment was to write an investment report on the Philippines, ‘one of the… Continue reading “In reaching out to the lost, I think I have found myself” – The Genius of the Poor [review]
We need Sport Relief from corporate injustice – by Andy Turner
So another Sport Relief has come and gone. An unrelenting mash up of fun, sporting heroics, comedy and conviction, highlighting poverty and raising money. The banter, unlikely competitions, silly stunts, and comedy sketches are fun. The heroic feats, especially Eddie Izzard's incredible 27 marathons in 27 days, are inspiring. The short, beautifully crafted films capture eye-watering poverty… Continue reading We need Sport Relief from corporate injustice – by Andy Turner
Fat Cat Tuesday: top bosses have already made more money by today than the typical UK worker will earn in a year
I work for a charity that helps homeless people in the West End of London. A few weeks ago I walked out of my office and saw this car parked outside - a gold Bentley. I am used to seeing flash cars in the area - like people sleeping rough, it's a hallmark of central London life.… Continue reading Fat Cat Tuesday: top bosses have already made more money by today than the typical UK worker will earn in a year
A step for social justice and equality that EVERYONE could take
This week a Church of England report was published called 'Talking Jesus'. One finding of this report, highlighted by The Guardian, is that when Christians talk to others about Jesus, it is more likely to turn them off than attract them. So how can Christians share their faith in ways that are relevant and do not make people squirm with embarrassment?… Continue reading A step for social justice and equality that EVERYONE could take
Refugee Crisis: a call to action
Prayer Vigil - this Tuesday 8th September at 7pm, central London Details and links from for the call to action outlined in the video: 1. Pray – 24/7 has launched a special week of prayer – find out more here. 2. Foster – many children and young people are coming to the UK as refugees without their parents.… Continue reading Refugee Crisis: a call to action
Victims of injustice or just bad cooks? Whose responsibility is food poverty?
On Monday I attended the launch of the report of the All Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Food Poverty in the UK. Over the last week, the whole issue has had an incredible amount of coverage in the media. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, opened the event and said that hunger is Britain is an… Continue reading Victims of injustice or just bad cooks? Whose responsibility is food poverty?
Funeral poverty: when there is nothing left to say goodbye – by Emma Tomlinson
Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com A few weeks ago my neighbour’s only son died unexpectedly. He was in his 30s, without a job and there was no money to pay for the funeral. Amidst the shock and grief that followed for her I learned something else; that funeral’s are very expensive, and there is… Continue reading Funeral poverty: when there is nothing left to say goodbye – by Emma Tomlinson
Food bank Britain and the three faces of poverty
A major report 'Emergency Use Only' was published yesterday by the Church of England, Oxfam and the Trussell Trust. It outlines the reality of Food bank Britain: Those receiving emergency food from food banks rose from 128,697 in 2011-12 to 913,138 in 2013-14. Many food bank users faced multiple challenges, including ill-health, relationship breakdown, mental health problems or substantial… Continue reading Food bank Britain and the three faces of poverty
Make a stand this Wednesday against food poverty: join the End Hunger Fast Vigil, 6.00 – 8.00pm, Westminster
"Any religion that professes to be concerned about the souls of men and is not concerned with the slums that damn them, the economic conditions which strangle them, and the social conditions that cripple them is a dry-as-dust religion. Such a religion is the kind the Marxists like to see - an opiate of the… Continue reading Make a stand this Wednesday against food poverty: join the End Hunger Fast Vigil, 6.00 – 8.00pm, Westminster
