Researchers, charity workers and activists will discuss the experience of poverty, its causes and what can be done to tackle it both in the UK and abroad at an event to be held at Bangor University.
Researchers at Bangor University will showcase their pioneering research on poverty, which shows how poverty affects people’s identities and shapes their lives. The morning talks will be held by academics on current issues such as global poverty, inequality, worklessness, and foodbank use. Other speakers include local political activists who are working with marginalised refugee communities, and speakers who have first-hand experience of challenging poverty on all levels and in all locations.
‘Food Bank As It Is’
The afternoon event will showcase the groundbreaking production ‘Food Bank As It Is’, a factual dramatisation of real-life, personal stories about the growing number of people in the UK who have, become reliant on foodbanks to survive.
The production which has been written by Tara Osman, a London food bank manager, said: “I was moved to start writing this play several months into my job as a foodbank support worker, and subsequently manager, of a London foodbank. I was becoming increasingly aware that many people, including countless children, are going hungry because the welfare benefits system is not fit for purpose.
“Sanctions, delays in making payments, decisions to stop payments without notification and delays in appeals being heard, all mean that people are left for weeks and often months with no income. That can mean no money for food, heating, lighting and rent.
“The presence of children or vulnerable adults in a household makes absolutely no difference. I have met people who haven’t eaten for days; mothers who are living on watery coffee to keep themselves going day-by-day whilst giving their children the small amount of food they can afford; whole families sitting in the dark and heating their food with candles; many, many people who have worked hard all their lives who break down in tears when describing the shame and humiliation they feel at finding themselves in this position.
“I have written this play because I believe that what is happening to these people and therefore us, is morally unacceptable and needs to be challenged, and challenged again until it stops.”
The Event is Free
The free event aims to bring real stories of poverty to life by inviting the general public and civil society organisations working in this field to share their stories about the challenges austerity has brought locally, nationally and internationally.
Although the event is free you will still need to register here:
Date and Time:
Wed 8 November 2017
09:30 – 16:30
Location:
Bangor University
JP Theatre, John Phillips Hall
College Road
Bangor, Wales LL57 2DG
