Anti-Poverty Strategy 2024 to 2027

Key themes which have emerged from our conversations include: 

• housing costs and access to affordable housing
• rising costs of food and hygiene products
• rising energy bills
• debt
• access to GPs, dentists and mental health services
• benefit sanctions
• loneliness (social isolation)
• Mental health
• school costs (uniform food, trips)
• lack of jobs
• digital exclusion
• stigma associated with poverty
• access to foodbanks and food pantries
• increase support for asylum seekers
• training and upskilling needs
• furniture poverty

The following extracts are taken from the in-depth peer research conversations conducted by Thrive Teesside and provide a snapshot of the key issues and concerns facing the Borough's residents:

• "as a single working mum of four children, times are tough. I'm behind on bills living in an unaffordable property that is overcrowded...Lots of weekends are spent in the house recently, reduced activities for example no play areas access. Trying to reduce heating costs but a struggle to keep warm"
• "I'm always making changes to be able to fit in daily life. I've had to weigh up options and make cuts or compromises until I can next do something. Some weeks if we can't afford to buy food I'll have to attend food banks or if I can't afford fuel to get to work I have to ask people for a lift until I'm next able to fill my car"
• "what changes in Stockton would make life easier for people struggling? - More opportunities to access community education and opportunities to enable them to reach their potential by removing the many barriers that people face in highly deprived areas"