New alliance to tackle hardship across Norfolk

Ruth Stokes is Campaigns Manager at Norfolk Community Advice Network – a lead organisation involved in establishing the new Norfolk Anti-Poverty Alliance which launches next week. Here, Ruth explains how the alliance hopes to tackle hardship

A movement of local charities, faith groups, organisations, and individuals with lived experience of hardship, has established The Norfolk Anti-Poverty Alliance, a new network to tackle hardship across Norfolk which launches at Norwich Cathedral next week. Leading figures attending the sell-out event in the fight against poverty will be making up a panel to answer questions such as what exactly is going wrong, and what needs to change – locally and nationally – to end poverty in Norfolk.

Panellists will include Lord John Bird MBE, co-founder of The Big Issue (the magazine edited by professional journalists and sold by street vendors affected by homelessness), Sumi Rabindrakumar, Head of Policy and Research at Trussell (the anti-poverty charity that leads a community of food banks), Jade Hunter, Head Teacher at West Earlham Infant and Nursery School who spoke out against children coming to school hungry, and David Powles, Chief Executive of Norfolk Community Law Service and former Editor of Eastern Daily Press.

Speaking about why this new movement was needed now, Ruth Stokes of Norfolk Community Advice Network said: “After a decade of “all talk and no action”, coupled with antipathy towards some of our most disadvantaged communities, having a new Government presents an opportunity for change. Both in the policies that can keep people trapped in poverty and by introducing new legislation to protect low-income households against slipping into debt and homelessness.

“We are campaigning for the solutions we need from Westminster AND working together locally to make sure we’re finding the best ways to use the resources we have here. With more joined-up thinking and collective action by the Alliance at both regional and national level, disadvantaged people in Norfolk could see their lives improved significantly. This launch event is for everyone who wants to be part of the solution.”

Earlier this month Lord Bird tabled a Bill for a new government ministry dedicated to eradicating poverty.

The Norfolk Anti-Poverty Alliance launches at Norfolk Cathedral’s The Hostry on February 26, 2025, from 5-7pm. This sold-out event will be recorded and shared online afterwards. Visit Norfolk Anti-Poverty Alliance – Norfolk Community Advice Network to find out more and sign up for updates.

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