Aberdeenshire council launches virtual event to ‘challenge poverty’ 

A Scottish local authority is organising a virtual event to promote awareness of the issues surrounding poverty.

Aberdeenshire Council is taking part in Challenge Poverty Week 2020, which seeks to inform policy-making about how to respond to the “pressing needs of communities”.

Topics such as employment, fuel, food, financial support, health and wellbeing will be discussed during the Aberdeenshire Challenge Poverty Week from Monday, October 5 to Sunday, October 11.

The partners involved from the third and public sectors, as well as individuals who have lived in poverty, will be seeking to understand, challenge and work together to change attitudes and policies to be more understanding of the issues concerning poverty.

Cllr Jim Gifford, Leader of Aberdeenshire Council and Chair of the Community Planning Partnership Board, said: “Recently the council reshaped its priorities as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic so that we can respond to the most pressing needs faced by communities and businesses in Aberdeenshire.

“This innovative virtual programme brings together partners from a range of perspectives which will hopefully add further ideas and suggestions on how we collectively work on tackling hugely difficult but vital issues, creating a society that not only copes during the Covid-19 pandemic but in its aftermath too.”

Aberdeenshire Council’s Communities Committee Chair Cllr Anne Stirling said: “Poverty, and helping to reduce its impact on families, continues to be a hugely important issue for everyone in Aberdeenshire. It’s crucial we listen to those who have experienced the consequences of poverty first-hand and use the information gathered to shape the response of partner organisations ensuring the most appropriate support is available.”