Hello, my name is Rachel.
This week I would like to talk to you about poverty and I also want to reflect on the power of stories
and the strength of communities.
Global events have plunged many of us into circumstances which are beyond our individual control. Whilst many more people are experiencing financial hardship, we also know that the cost-of-living crisis is having the most significant impact on people who were already living in persistent poverty.
This is why I wanted Kirklees Council’s Director of Public Health Annual Report to have a focus around poverty.
My report focuses on the lived experiences of Kirklees residents. This is because we cannot understand and address the issues presented by poverty unless we involve the real experts – those with direct experience of what it is like to live in poverty and the constant worry of living without money to make ends meet. The report captures these lived experiences from residents, living across the borough in a range of circumstances. Where possible, we have used people’s own words to tell their stories.
The best way to understand these stories and the impact of living in poverty is to watch our short animation. This is an incredibly powerful and important watch and something which will resonate no matter where you live or work.
I am so grateful to our residents for allowing us to share their stories. I strongly believe that by listening to our residents and using their voices to lead this work we have been able to generate a real ripple of change across the Kirklees system.
It was really important to me that this was reflected in the tone of my report to instigate action at a local level. That is why the report includes clear recommendations for across the whole of the Kirklees system – for individuals, small organisations who want to help in their local community, as well as larger organisations who often have more opportunity to influence local policy and delivery. Everyone should have the ability to lead change and shape the direction of travel for all.
We also know that restraints across budgets means that we all have additional pressures and that this changing landscape means we have to carefully consider how we can deliver the Cost of Living Support programme as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Despite these challenges, it is essential to continue to work together with our partners to deliver positive outcomes for people and communities, alongside a focus on supporting residents who need it the most.
And that takes me on to our innovative affordable food model, The ‘Bread and Butter Thing’.
This is a fantastic example of a sustainable, hyper local, affordable food model. I am so proud that we have ‘The Bread and Butter’ in Kirklees.
‘The Bread and Butter Thing’ is one of the UK’s leading community food organisations and they have brought their innovative affordable food model to Kirklees. It is a partnership between Kirklees Council, Third Sector Leaders, Cummins Turbo Technologies Ltd and local community organisations.
The 10 hubs across Kirklees provide access to nutritious and affordable food in the heart of communities. It also enables communities to access a range of wraparound services offering advice and support on finances, employment and health. Members of ‘The Bread and Butter Thing’ can have shopping bags filled with a minimum of £35 worth of quality nutritious food for just £8.50. Each week members access three bags of produce including fresh fruit and veg, chilled goods, as well as cupboard staples such as pasta and cereal.
The hub sites have extended beyond just food redistribution spaces. They have become holistic hubs for support, health and wellbeing advice, signposting and partnerships with other local services.
The hubs have been a huge success in Kirklees, with demand exceeding the number of families that can be supported each week. The scheme has received national media interest which resulted in an LGA case study on the work done in Kirklees, as well as nominations for LGC Awards in Public Health, Public/Private Partnership and Community Involvement.
Find out more about ‘The Bread and Butter Thing’ food scheme.
Thank you for taking the time to read my message.
Rachel
yourself out of your comfort zone to be the most meaningful way to continuously learn and to become a better version of yourself both professionally and personally, especially if you are an experiential learner like I am.
discounted activities.
Social responsibility and sustainability – making Yorkshire greener
Airedale General Hospital to meet with Chair Andrew Gold to discuss a number of topics including the Trust's capital requirements over the coming years. Whilst there, she visited ward 16 which recently opened as a decant ward to support the Trust in undertaking widespread structural works. 
A new 12-month hybrid programme and exhibition championing community and lived experience narratives to tackle the overrepresentation of black and South Asian men detained under the Mental Health Act in Leeds, was announced on Wednesday.