RSS Press releases

In order to make a positive difference to those experiencing poverty, Dumfries and Galloway Volunteers have formed a Tackling Poverty Reference Group which includes, and is driven by, a group of volunteers with direct experience of living in poverty. The volunteers come from across the region and a variety of groups involved in supporting issues around poverty.

The group is looking to expand. Could You help us make a positive difference by supporting issues around poverty in Dumfries and Galloway?

The work that the group do has never been more necessary than it is now. Poverty is increasingly covering a wider spectrum of people. It helps us look at services from a lived experience perspective.

Tackling Poverty Reference Group Chairperson Jeanette Byers explains:

“The group is formed from volunteers who have first-hand experience of poverty and we advise and assist Dumfries and Galloway Council in the fight to tackle Poverty in the region. It is vital to address Poverty in many different ways, it means different things to different people. We are looking for people who really want to commit to helping others, who by no fault of their own find themselves in need of assistance in a terrible time in their lives. This is a very rewarding and fulfilling way to do good in our community. Volunteers are the life blood in areas like ours it is so very important for us to get new members to assist us in everyday struggles against adversity in the form of poverty. So please consider joining our group and doing everything possible in this really trying time to fight together against poverty.”

The Tackling Poverty Reference Group have been involved in work and opportunities to build confidence and gain an understanding of services designed to tackle poverty. They have visited a range of services throughout the region. They have also attended a range of events with Police Scotland, NHS D&G, Third Sector D&G and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and engaged in dialogue with them around the causes and effects of poverty and have met with the Council’s administration, at their request.

The Council and its partners, through the Community Planning Executive Group (CPEG) are keen to further understand the challenges for people living in poverty and to address any barriers they may experience in accessing services. They have discussed the inspection of services from a service-user perspective around poverty after which they will provide improvement recommendations and possibly act as a reference/ consultation group for any Council or partner policies that may impact on poverty.

Cllr Andy Ferguson, Chairman of the Council’s Communities Committee said:

 “Our Anti-Poverty Strategy was never more necessary than it is now. Poverty is increasingly covering a wider spectrum of people. The Tackling Poverty Reference Group continues to give us an opportunity to test proposals that people not experiencing poverty can’t see – It helps us look at services from ‘their’ perspective.”

 Cllr John Martin, Vice Chairman of the Council’s Communities Committee continued:

“Providing help and support and giving a voice to those with lived experience of poverty is at the forefront of our thoughts and the work the Group does is absolutely vital to providing this assistance.”

If you would like more information or would be interested in becoming a volunteer with the Dumfries and Galloway Tackling Poverty Group. Please contact us to register your interest by emailing challengepoverty@dumgal.gov.uk or by calling 030 33 33 3000.