Powys County Council receives grant to tackle child poverty
Over £100,000 has been awarded to Powys County Council to tackle child poverty.
The council received a £125,000 grant from the Welsh Government which 'supports bold, collaborative approaches by public and third sector organisations to tackle child poverty and improve outcomes for children and families'.
Powys County Council is one of 25 organisations across Wales to receive a share of the £1.495 million awarded through the Welsh Government's Child Poverty Innovation and Supporting Communities Grant Scheme.
Last year, the council secured £90,000 through the same grant scheme, enabling the delivery of support and initiatives that supported more than 3,000 people.
Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys, said: 'Securing this Welsh Government funding is a powerful endorsement of our bold and innovative approach to tackling child poverty.
'This investment enables us to take urgent action while laying the foundations for lasting change. By listening to those with lived experience and working closely with our partners and communities, we are not just addressing poverty – we are building a stronger, fairer, greener Powys where every child has the chance to thrive.'
This new funding will see the council and its partner Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO) continue to work together on initiatives to tackle child poverty in the county.
The latest funding will be used to support a new project called 'Speak Truth to Powys' which will be delivered under the umbrella of the Powys Child Poverty Task Force.
The project will fund a Young Persons' Engagement Officer, a dedicated officer who will engage directly with children and young people across Powys, both online and in person, to ensure their experiences shape future support.
It will also fund a Poverty Truth Commission which will 'bring together people with lived experience of poverty and decision-makers to explore the root causes of poverty in Powys and co-create solutions'.
The grant will also fund the 'Essential Support Scheme', a practical support scheme which 'will provide one-off payments to families in urgent need, helping them access essentials such as food, clothing, electricity, and transport'.
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Cllr Joy Jones, Powys County Council's Anti-Poverty Champion, said: 'Behind every statistic is a child, a family, a story. This funding gives us the opportunity to listen more closely, act more compassionately, and respond more effectively to the real challenges people are facing.
'By working together and putting lived experience at the heart of our approach, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.'
Clair Swales, Chief Executive of Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO), said: I'm pleased we can continue building on the work we started last year to tackle child poverty in Powys and I look forward to continued collaboration with Powys County Council.
'This funding gives us a valuable opportunity to improve the lives of children and young people experiencing poverty across the county, by listening to their voices and placing them at the heart of our work."
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