Throughout the last 25 years, children have consistently had the highest poverty rates in the UK, with almost 4 million children living in poverty today.
With so many families in crisis as a result of financial deprivation, it makes sense that we join forces to come alongside those who need our support. Support and services have been cut under policies of austerity and working in partnership is crucial to having a real and lasting impact on society.
By pooling knowledge and expertise, partnerships can provide a wider range of services and support, from education and healthcare to social services, parenting, and job training. This multi-pronged approach ensures that families receive tailored assistance, breaking down barriers and promoting sustainable change. Moreover, partnerships foster innovation and the sharing of best practices, leading to more effective interventions and ultimately improving the wellbeing of families facing disadvantages in a more comprehensive and lasting way.
With this in mind, we are pleased to be partnering with Christians Against Poverty (CAP) as part of our vision to see every child in need raised in a strong family.
CAP runs an incredible service in partnership with the local church, providing free debt help and community in pursuit of a vision to end poverty in the UK together. CAP also serves communities with life skills groups, which give attendees the confidence and decision-making skills needed to live on a low income. Guests learn practical money saving techniques, such as cooking on a budget and making money go further.
We know that poverty impacts the confidence and competence of many parents and so, as a module alongside the life skills groups, CAP will offer a two-part Kids Matter parenting session to mums, dads and carers. CAP life skills coaches will be trained to facilitate these parenting sessions, which will be run as per the Kids Matter model (a parent-led discussion, facilitated with coaching questions around a table with food and drinks). The provision of these sessions (training, materials and support) will be completely free.
Typically, Kids Matter is a six-week programme but we wanted to create something that could be a first step for mums, dads and carers, and would work alongside the CAP model. We have chosen some key topics to focus on like understanding the impact of positive words, the benefits of routines, and understanding that discipline is a learning opportunity, not a punishment.
We asked CAP to share a bit about their view on working in partnership with Kids Matter:
CAP and Kids Matter have been talking to each other for a while. We are two organisations committed to expressing our belief in action, so have a lot in common. CAP’s vision is to see lives transformed through the love and care that is extended by thriving churches, and ultimately an end to UK poverty. Kids Matter seeks to strengthen families facing disadvantages with confidence, competence and community, equipping them to give their children the best chance to flourish in life.
More than 4 million children are being raised in poverty today. CAP sees first hand the devastating impact poverty has on families, and are determined to tackle it so that families can find hope for their futures. We want to see every child thrive in a strong and safe family that is free from the anxiety and despair that poverty brings. So partnering with Kids Matter, who bring such rich experience and expertise in this area, is something we highly value.
CAP was delighted when earlier this year, Kids Matter offered to integrate two of their parenting modules into our life skills groups. The generous offer of their materials, training and support – all free of charge – meant that we could deliver more comprehensive support to families through our life skills groups run by local churches. We can’t wait to see the impact that this extra support makes to communities as the families within it are strengthened.
For Kids Matter, this is a great opportunity to reach more children; to come alongside parents and carers, equipping them with the tools to build strong relationships, enabling children to thrive! We have just completed a second training session with CAP coaches and are hugely hopeful that we are at the beginning of a productive and impactful partnership with the team at CAP.
We are constantly looking for opportunities to partner with organisations that have a heart for family and share a vision to see the impact of poverty reduced in our communities. If you’d like to find out more about our work with CAP or you’d like to partner with us, please do get in touch at info@kidsmatter.org.uk