Stories

Mrs C – Employment and Single Parenting

Mrs C lives in Briar Hill Northampton and is a single parent. She desperately believes that working could be a route out of poverty, but believes the system fails to recognise the stress that single parents have in being the...

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Shelly’s Story – Limited Choices

I'm a single mother to a 9- and 6-year-old and have been a council tenant for 27 years. I split with my husband 3 years ago and since then it’s being nothing but a struggle. I have taken employment largely...

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Nikolais Story – Work as a route out of debt?

Nikolais is a 40-year-old man. His life spiralled out of control in his younger years, with homelessness, a prolonged period of sofa surfing and sometime within a Young Offenders Unit. He is currently living on £444.00 per month with his...

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Melanie’s Story

 Not being able to do what most people can Poverty and living in an abusive relationship are situations nobody wants to find themselves in – especially a mother with young children to look after. Having escaped the cycle of poverty...

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Muchi’s Story

Poverty – A changing Reality – Muchi’s story Many immigrants experience hardship as they are forced to leave their countries behind in search of a better life. Muchi’s story with poverty is complex and nuanced – one that has been...

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J’s Story

J.’s relationship with poverty is a complex and multi-layered one. Unlike some other individuals who are born into poverty-stricken households or experience financial disadvantages early in life, J. was born into a well-off family and lived a rather comfortable life...

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Adam and Tobias’ Story

As young care leavers, Adam and Tobias recently agreed to share their stories and discuss how poverty is still a major obstacle to having a normal, comfortable life. At the most basic level, Adam and Tobias believe that poverty is...

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An Inescapable Shadow – Holly’s Story

For Holly (a non-binary disabled person), poverty is like a shadow that has been stalking them since they were a child – an in-escapable shadow. “It means suffering”, they explained. “It means having to ask for help, for food, from...

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A Difficult Reality – Flick’s Story

Poverty can be a difficult reality to escape from – one that is full of barriers and challenges. Seeing as though Flick has been through these challenges herself, she agreed to share some of her thoughts and feelings about poverty...

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The Inability to Participate – Alan’s Story

Poverty is a deep complex concept – a concept that impacts many different areas of the lives of those who experience it. But it was through his personal experiences and general awareness that Alan’s understanding of what poverty entails has...

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