Resources developed with a focus on England, Scotland or Wales to fit the needs of each nation's schools and curriculum, but most of them can easily be adapted for other areas.
These activities can help your group to start conversations, consider what impact poverty and costs can have on school life and think about what action you're going to take. This is all about how you might go about taking action.
When CPAG in Scotland and the University of Aberdeen organised a roundtable event at the Scottish Parliament to discuss school uniform affordability and the school clothing grant with MSPs, we knew it was vital to hear directly from young people.
A learner from Trinity High School in South Lanarkshire took part in a special event in the run up to the general election, where young people asked questions direct to candidates from several major parties, and offered a chance for young people to ask questions about the things that matter to them, which included costs at school, the closure of youth clubs and services, tacking child poverty and the difficulties young people are having accessing college places.
Coatbridge High School in North Lanarkshire ran an all day event focusing on the cost of living, with workshops during the day for pupils and a drop-in Cost of Living Fayre for families after school, which showcased the work of a range of organisations in the area and covered wide spectrum of supports for families.
How St Paul’s High School, Glasgow’s Parent Council found ways to raise money online which were effective and non-stigmatising for those who were not able to contribute.
The staff of Bellahouston Academy in Glasgow knew that many of their families were likely to be missing out on vital financial support and were delighted to take part in a programme placing Financial Inclusion Support Officers (FISO) directly in Glasgow schools.
East Ayrshire Council decided to commit funding to extend their Financial Inclusion Team and place workers in every secondary school in the authority, focusing on maximising family incomes, making sure families are receiving all the benefits and entitlements they’re eligible for. Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland worked with the financial inclusion team to deliver child poverty and rights sessions to 70 learners, helping to raise awareness of the causes of poverty in Scotland, the impact poverty can have on children’s rights and cost barriers families and pupil face at school.
