Jen Smith
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The Experience of Poverty
Speakers at the Burngreave Poverty Conference spoke movingly of what it’s like to experience poverty.
Jean Smith, of the Single Parent Organisation: SCOOP AID Limited, pointed out that poverty is “self-defining”. For her, some years ago, when she was claiming Income Support , she had certain standards to maintain – poverty meant not being able to buy Andrex toilet rolls and Nescafe. She was fortunate to have the support of family and friends. Having been in the job for over 17 years she had become “hardened” but she was moved to see single parents these days struggling to afford shoes for their children and basic necessities such as clothes.
Jean also spoke of taking a single parent to speak to the All Party group on Poverty in Parliament and noticing her continually taking photographs of everything. When asked why the parent said: “I’ve not been to London for 20 years, and my children never will, so I’m making sure I capture the experience”. Poverty of experience is every bit as demoralising as financial poverty.
Aisha "Special K" Wilson
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BNDfC Board Member Aisha “Special K” Wilson, introduced the conference, and has been the main inspiration behind putting Poverty on the BNDfC agenda. Special also spoke of residents’ experience of poverty, reading the following poem, which has been written from contributions based on residents’ experiences.
Living in Poverty
Living in poverty equals: - Can't afford heating and hot water.
Living in poverty equals: - Not having weekly school busfares.
Living in poverty equals: - Beans on toast for Sunday dinner
Living in poverty equals: - Stress for the up and coming generation
Living in poverty equals: - Not having a decent outfit to wear
Living in poverty equals: - Having lots of unpayable bills
Living in poverty equals: - Not being welcomed to participate
Living in poverty equals: - Wet feet when it rains
Living in poverty equals: - An Everyday struggle
Living in poverty equals: - Causes illness and deaths
Living in poverty equals: - An everyday struggle
Living in poverty equals: - Causes illnesses and deaths
Living in poverty equals: - Never having any money
Living in poverty equals: - Knowing who your friends are
Living in poverty equals: - Limited choices and opportunities
Living in poverty equals: - Unemployment and dole money
Living in poverty equals: - Being hungry and thirsty
Living in poverty equals: - No breakfast before school
Living in poverty equals: - Stealing bottles of milk
Living in poverty equals: - Government incompetence
Living in poverty equals: - No nappies for the baby
Living in poverty equals: - No sanitary protection
Living in poverty equals: - No pets or pets starve
Living in poverty equals: - Having to live with vermin and insects
Living in poverty equals: - No holidays or breaks
Living in poverty equals: - Can't go to cinema or theatre
Living in poverty equals: - No birthday Christmas presents
Living in poverty equals: - Looking in bins in order to find food
Living in poverty equals: - Drugs and prostitution
Living in poverty equals: - Depression levels forever rising
Living in poverty equals: - Embarrassment and humiliation
Living in poverty equals: - Can't afford a baby sitter
Living in poverty equals: - Having to do without basic requirements
Living in poverty equals: - Living in hope and praying a lot
Living in poverty equals: - Encourages humbleness
Living in poverty equals: - Being proud to shop at Netto
Living in poverty equals: - Imprisonment for excluded poor and needy
