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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 03/02/2026

The UK must find ways to harness the wisdom of people who access the social security system. Our CEO Liam Purcell has the lead letter in @theguardian.com yesterday, responding to their editorial on UK poverty.

A cut-out of a newspaper letter. The text reads:

Your editorial on deepening poverty in the UK (28 January) rightly condemns the decade and a half (and counting) of austerity. Millions of people’s lives have been knowingly worsened by the state. To compound this, countless shared neighbourhood spaces have been closed or sold off, meaning there is less opportunity for community togetherness just when it is most needed.

The UK has the political and financial resources to create a society full of opportunity and security. Instead, successive governments have allowed poverty to continue and ultra-individualism to become normalised.

You highlight the ideological dimension of this. There is also a fundamental ignorance behind it. Our politics is dominated by people who have never lived on a low income and know little of what such a life involves. There are remarkably few ways for people to truly shape government decisions that will determine their own lives.

At regional and city levels, poverty truth commissions have led to new understandings within some councils and public bodies. Localised participation projects have managed to remove barriers, leading to people being heard as never before. But as long as this work exists only on small scales, progress will be inadequate.

The UK must reinvest in our social security system, but it must also find new ways to harness the wisdom of people who access that system. If we can do that, social security, and indeed politics as a whole, can become constructive rather than antagonistic.

Liam Purcell
CEO, Church Action on Poverty

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 22/12/2025

Our fifth advent reflection is from James, from the Your Local Pantry team.

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 19/12/2025

Our fourth Advent reflection is from Kate Gray from the Dandelion Community in Wythenshawe.

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 16/12/2025

Our third reflection is from David, one of our trustees.

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 16/12/2025

Our second reflection is from Helen, our chair.

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 13/12/2025

Our second Advent reflection is from Helen, chair of Church Action on Poverty

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 10/12/2025

Every few days between now and Christmas Day, we’ll be sharing a few advent reflections. The first is from our chief exec, Liam.

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 09/12/2025

Thank you!! You responded with wonderful generosity to our #BigGive Christmas Challenge, raising £10,000! This will help partners across the Your Local Pantry network to continue their amazing work in 120 neighbourhoods. Thank you all!

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 08/12/2025

We’re almost into the final 24 hours of our #BigGive #ChristmasChallenge. Could you help us hit the target, to support the incredible work food Pantries are doing in 120 UK neighbourhoods?… donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

Two identical photos of a basket of groceries, with the text: “Have your Christmas donations doubled!”

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 06/12/2025

Can you spare a few moments to help neighbourhood food projects around the UK? Our #BigGive #ChristmasChallenge appeal for Your Local Pantries is here. Any donations you make will be match funded, doubling your impact! donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

A mirror-effect photo of two robins facing each other on alder branches. A speech bubble from one says: “If you donate to our Bjg Give appeal this weekend, your donation will be matched!”

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 04/12/2025

Thank you to everyone who donated in the first two days of our #BigGive #ChristmasChallenge - Evidence shows Pantries are delivering incredible progress for people and neighbourhoods. Donations this week will be matched, helping sustain this great work. donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

Red background. Text reads “Hqve your Christmas donations doubled”. There are two identical pictures of a basket of groceries.

A quartered square. Top left shows a volunteer carrying a crate or fruit. Bottom right shows a volunteer beside a veg stand. Top right states: “75% of Pantry members are eating more fruit and veg”. Bottom left is a member quote reading: “I'm a fairly decent, but basic cook. Having a weekly top up of fresh fruit and vegetables, often with the availability of some fresh or frozen meat, means that I can cook decent, healthy meals that last most of the week"

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 03/12/2025

Research shows that Pantries are reuniting communities & bringing a range of positives. They do amazing work, but on a shoestring. This is a vital fundraising week for us, where your donations are matched. If you can help sustain this amazing work, thank you! donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 17/11/2025

Church dioceses, local councils and anyone else wanting to strengthen community cohesion and support neighbourhood-led solutions should explore and support approaches like this.

A quartered square. Top left is a photo of a Pantry volunteer in blue chatting to a man pushing a buggy. Bottom right has two men with ice cream. Top right says 82% of Pantry members we spoke to feel more connected with their community. Bottom left says “It has been an absolute blessing for many reasons, not just helping with the cost of living on low income and a debt repayment plan, but I also found friends, connected with people and it improved my mental health and sense of being included and belonging to a local community.”

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 12/10/2025

We have written to Bishop Sarah Mullally, in hopeful anticipation, ahead of her becoming the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. You can read the letter here:

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 07/08/2025

Give, act and pray with others across the UK on 19 October. Sign up today to get a Church Action on Poverty Sunday resource pack. All-new prayers, hymns & other worship materials, plus updated stories & ideas for sharing the 'Dreams and Realities' portraits. www.church-poverty.org.uk/sunday/

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 21/07/2025

Save the date! Church Action on Poverty Sunday is 19 October 2025. We invite your church to give, act and pray with others – together we can end UK poverty. Our free resource pack includes worship materials and ideas for fundraising. Find out more and sign up at www.church-poverty.org.uk/sunday

Artist Stephen Martin, whose 'Dreams and Realities' portraits are a focus of the materials for Church Action on Poverty Sunday

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 21/07/2025

And here are the details if you'd like to see the play in London this autumn.

The Perils of Universal Credit from Elicit Theatre Company
Etcetera Theatre, London, 11 Sep - 11 Oct 2025
Contact the theatre on 020 7482 4857 to reserve your tickets

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 30/06/2025

We smashed our target of raising £2,000 for Your Local Pantry during #SmallCharityWeek. Thank you to so much to all our generous donors, and to Global's Make Some Noise, who will double those donations! There's still time to donate: donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 25/06/2025

Pantries offer hope, dignity and choice in communities across the UK. Can you help them continue? Make a donation to Your Local Pantry during Small Charity Week, and your gift will be doubled. Give today if you can, and double your difference! donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

Three Pantry team members stand in front of a mural that says 'HOPE' in Kingston Pantry

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 24/06/2025

Double the difference! Donate to Your Local Pantry this week and your gift will be doubled. Thanks to #TheBigGive and #SmallCharityWeek. donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05....

A Pantry staff member with a tray of peaches

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 17/06/2025

Save the date! Make a donation to Your Local Pantry during Small Charities Week, and your gift will be doubled. Watch this space on 23 June for more details!

Logos for Small Charity Week, Global's Make Some Noice, and NCVO, with the start date of Small Charity Week: 23 June 2025

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 12/06/2025

Yesterday we said a sad farewell to Niall Cooper, who has led our work for 28 years. Thanks to all the old colleagues and comrades who joined us to celebrate Niall's legacy: an organisation uniquely dedicated to growing a movement to reclaim dignity, agency and power. We wish Niall all the best!

Niall Cooper admiring a painting of Iona, given to him by his colleagues as a leaving present

Helen Goodman, chair of our Council of Mabnagement, sharing a tribute to Niall

Niall Cooper sharing reminiscences from his 28 years with Church Action on Poverty

Activist Wayne Green playing a saxophone

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 06/06/2025

If you're in Bilston, please join the Empty Plate Project in the market on Saturday 14 June, 9am-2pm. With support from the #LetsEndPoverty #ArtistsforChange scheme, you can help create an art installation exploring lived experiences of poverty in the city.

Empty Plate Project flyer: image of a clay plate with 'Food On My Mind' handwritten on it

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 06/06/2025

'The Perils of Universal Credit' is a thought-provoking drama about the challenges of navigating the benefit system. We're proud to be supporting it through the #LetsEndPoverty #ArtistsForChange scheme. 11 September - 11 October at the Etcetera Theatre, London elicittheatre.co.uk/perilsofuc/

Based on factual experiences, we follow the journey of a young woman’s experience whilst on benefits, the process of Universal Credit & the challenges she encounters while trying to survive whilst looking for a job & feeling the effects of austerity in 21st century Britain.

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 27/05/2025

Read our expert adviser Stef Benstead's full response to our disappointing meeting with the disability minister: www.stefbenstead.co.uk/post/a-respo... #TakingThePIP

An image of Stef Benstead with the words "They're using a lot of spin and weasel words, but it is worse than empty rhetoric. It is deliberately misleading the public in order to buy support for immoral, harmful cuts."

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 20/05/2025

Church Action on Poverty's Chief Exec Niall Cooper is leaving this summer. Could you mark the occasion by making a donation of £28 - a pound for every year Niall has spent here? Every gift helps to reclaim dignity, agency and power. give.church-poverty.org.uk/page/169232/...

Niall Cooper at the launch of the Pilgrimage Against Poverty in 1999

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 16/05/2025

We've moved to a new office! You can now find us at Shared Space Initiative, Ground floor, Oakland House, Talbot Road Old Trafford Manchester M16 0PQ Don't worry if you've sent post to our old office - mail will be redirected for the next six months.

The old office, packed up and ready to go

Liam and Dan at their desks in our new office

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 12/05/2025

As the #LetsEndPoverty campaign draws to an end... "perhaps being a movement committed to ending poverty means being the wind that scatters the dandelion seeds, giving them energy to land in new places, take root and bring new colour into the world." www.church-poverty.org.uk/lets-end-pov...

A 'Let's End Poverty' banner on display outside Camden Methodist Church, with congregation members of all ages stood nearby

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 12/05/2025

Join us to celebrate 28 years of action on poverty. You're invited to a farewell celebration for our Chief Executive Niall Cooper: Thursday 5 June 2025, 7pm, Zoom act.church-poverty.org.uk/page/169235/...

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 09/05/2025

After 28 years, our Chief Exec Niall is leaving this summer! We're looking for a new Chief Exec who is passionate about ending UK poverty: an empathetic, innovative leader, strong on vision and strategy, with skills to run a medium-sized charity. www.church-poverty.org.uk/ceovacancy/

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 22/04/2025

Thanks to Christchurch Foodbank+ for sharing these amazing photos from the art exhibition they're holding this week promoting #LetsEndPoverty!

Paintings and other works of art in the exhibition at Christchurch Foodbank+

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 22/04/2025

If you're in South Yorkshire, please join Sheffield Church Action on Poverty on 29 May. Hear about our research into church closures, and be inspired and challenged by stories about what can be achieved when churches keep faith with low-income communities. www.church-poverty.org.uk/are-churches...

Are Churches losing faith in low-income communities? More details of the event.

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 16/04/2025

Our CEO Niall Cooper is leaving this summer. For 28 years, Niall and this organisation have stood alongside people in poverty, working to reclaim dignity, agency and power together. Join us in an online farewell event on 5 June: book your place at act.church-poverty.org.uk/page/169235/...

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 25/03/2025

Mary says: "If the Government could bring themselves to stop scapegoating and instead invest in bettering the situation for disabled people, then perhaps there would be less pressure on social and health services." Speak out against immoral, harmful cuts: act.church-poverty.org.uk/page/168153/...

Mary Passeri says: "If the Government could bring themselves to stop scapegoating and instead invest in bettering the situation for disabled people, then perhaps there would be less pressure on social and health services."

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 24/03/2025

"They’re using a lot of spin and weasel words, but it is worse than empty rhetoric. It is deliberately misleading the public in order to buy support for immoral, harmful cuts." Oppose immoral cuts to disability benefits - email your MP now at act.church-poverty.org.uk/page/168153/...

Stef Benstead says: "They’re using a lot of spin and weasel words, but it is worse than empty rhetoric. It is deliberately misleading the public in order to buy support for immoral, harmful cuts."

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 21/03/2025

"Labour said they would put disabled people at the heart of everything they do, but instead they've shoved us to the very edges." Read what Stef, Mary and Sydnie say about the immoral, harmful cuts to social security proposed this week, & use our e-action to challenge those cuts: bit.ly/immoralcuts

Stef Benstead, Mary Passeri and Sydnie Corley say : "Labour said they would put disabled people at the heart of everything they do, but instead they've shoved us to the very edges."

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 10/03/2025

"I hope my service will help promote Church Action on Poverty's work for justice. We sow small seeds and pray that God will nurture them." We love receiving messages & photos like these! You can sow seeds & work for justice too: make a donation at give.church-poverty.org.uk/page/167502/...

A display in a church for Church Action on Poverty Sunday, featuring the 'Dreams and Realities' portrait exhibition

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 06/03/2025

Our staff and trustees want to say a big THANK YOU to the 100+ churches who were signed up to take part in Church Action on Poverty Sunday last week. Do get in touch and share your stories and pictures - and send in any collections.

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 28/02/2025

Last year we were thrilled to work with YorkMix and Lived Insights on an experimental collaboration, to do better at telling complex stories and make sure new voices are heard. We’re delighted to now feature in @nujofficial.bsky.social’s Journalist magazine, sharing what happened.

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 27/02/2025

If you're in the Bournemouth area, get along to this thought-provoking #LetsEndPoverty art exhibition - funded through our #ArtistsForChange programme. 20-27 April, The Runway, Christchurch

FREE ART EXHIBITION
Sun 20 April - Sun 27 April
Open every day 10am - 2pm
promoting
LET’S END POVERTY
and supporting
Christchurch Foodbank+
Thought-provoking paintings, textiles and mixed media
Come & be inspired & challenged
The Runway, 15 Airfield Rd, Christchurch, BH23 3TG
Free Tea and Coffee - ALL Ages Welcome

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 13/02/2025

EMPOWERHER - Menopause, Menstruation and Disability Pride Join disabled artists Andrea Mindel and Corinne for this special Artist Talk on International Women's Day in partnership with #LetsEndPoverty Sat 8 March 2025 at 11:00am online www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/empowerher...

Photos promoting the Menopause workshop with Let's End Poverty branding

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 16/12/2024

Between all that, we were delighted to see other projects thriving. Pre-pandemic we helped get York Poverty Truth Commission going, & were delighted to hear of its success this year. Some commissioners spoke at the #DignityForAll conference we organised, & we loved to hear stories of local change.

A member of York Poverty Truth Commission speaks as part of a panel at the Dignity For All conference

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 16/12/2024

In the summer, we took our annual trip to @Greenbeltfestival.bsky.social in Kettering. We showcased the Dreams and Realities portraits and met many inspiring activists and campaigners, who like us believe in continuing to make the UK an increasingly just, compassionate country, free from poverty.

Artist Stephen Martin talks with the Church Action on Poverty team at our Greenbelt stall, where his 'Dreams and Realities' portrait exhibition is on display.

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 16/12/2024

Then this month, Stef, Mary, Wayne & Sydnie from STTP met Stephen Timms, minister for social security and disability, to discuss how govt will engage people with experience of poverty in reviewing benefits systems, & how govt views & talks about people unable to work due to illness or disability.

Wayne, Stef and Mary from our Speaking Truth to Power programme, accompanied by our Chief Exec Niall Cooper, meet with government minister Stephen Timms.

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 16/12/2024

As part of #SpeakingTruthToPower, Stef, Penny, Steve, Tracy & Wayne spoke at a Nov LSE conference led by @katesummers.bsky.social & @bengeiger.bsky.social about how to work with people with experience of poverty. We loved hearing from @changingrealities.bsky.social & @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social.

Wayne, Steve, Tracy and Penny of our Speaking Truth to Power programme speak from the stage at a conference at London School of Economics.

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 16/12/2024

Pantries provide wide-ranging support, but also access to positive opportunities. This year, 10 Pantries ran art projects. Members created portraits, pottery, murals and more. Here's a small selection...

An artist leads a creative workshop in Kingston Pantry

Members making pottery at Oasis FaB Foundry Pantry in Birmingham

A mural on the shutters of Greenhouse Pantry in Edinburgh

A mural showing a family of bears, at Kilcooley Pantry in Northern Ireland

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 16/12/2024

The #YourLocalPantry network grew to 129 neighbourhoods, including partnerships with @barnardos.bsky.social & Salvation Army. Our Places Of Hope report celebrated how Pantries bring communities together to make people-powered change possible. We welcomed MPs and a Bishop to see how Pantries work.

The Bishop of Leeds with Your Local Pantry Network Facilitator James Henderson, and three members of the team from InterAct Pantry Meanwood in Leeds. They're holding copies of 'Places of Hope', the Your Local Pantry 2024 social impact report.

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 16/12/2024

We loved working with @bigissue.bsky.social @trusselluk.bsky.social @roswynnejones.bsky.social & others on 'Dear PM', 15 people with experience of poverty wrote to Keir Starmer. The PM said: “The letters are honest, powerful and important and I think they hold up a mirror to our country.”

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Church Action on Poverty @church-poverty.org.uk · 16/12/2024

As part of that campaign, we’ve loved seeing the #DreamsAndRealities art project touring across England. It told stories of 10 people from Sheffield, showing their realities & the dreams they would pursue if freed from poverty’s grip. Thousands of people saw it, & an off-shoot has begun in Halifax.

Dreams and Realities: the artist and the organiser pose with three of the subjects of the paintings

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