National anti-poverty database reaches milestone
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville today visited Glasgow Caledonian University to celebrate Scotland’s Tackling Poverty Locally Directory reaching 100 entries.
The national database, which is managed by the Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit (SPIRU), showcases impactful anti-poverty projects across Scotland.
The free online resource is designed to inform policymakers, service users and practitioners. The database ensures that lessons learned are shared and readily available to inform and inspire new local initiatives. The Scottish Government is working with and supporting SPIRU to develop the database and take forward work to help practitioners apply the emerging learning.
The Cabinet Secretary met with child-poverty leads from Inverclyde Council and Perth and Kinross Council today, who shared their experience in tackling poverty through local action and reflected on what the Directory offers them.
Representatives from Aberlour, DAWSUN and Energy Action Scotland outlined their work, featured in the latest published case studies, and researchers from SPIRU explained what is involved in developing each entry.
Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty is this government’s top priority - one child living in poverty is one too many.
"The breadth of experiences shared with me today – and within the Directory – shows that this mission is shared by many partners who are engaged in compelling and innovative work to address this issue. The Directory is brimming with examples of ways to increase household income, reduce debt, enter work, and many other important measures.
“It provides a crucial blueprint to services across Scotland, providing both information and inspiration while helping to build a fairer Scotland.”
Professor John McKendrick, co-Director of SPIRU, said: “The publication of the 100th case study is a remarkable achievement, given that the Directory is less than two years old.
“There are examples from the length and breadth of Scotland, from local NHS health boards, local government, and national charities, to social enterprises and community groups. Some say that good practice is a bad traveller. The Directory does not accept this and provides a resource that ensures that we can make the best use of the resources available to us to tackle poverty.”
Professor Stephen Sinclair, co-Director of SPIRU, said: “This is a collective effort that highlights the importance of effective local action in the national mission to tackle child poverty. With two dozen more case studies in the pipeline, and another two dozen about to be started, the Directory continues to go from strength to strength and is the go-to place for advice on local action.”
For further information, visit Tackling Poverty Locally Directory.
