The Northern Agenda
Our Kids In The North: fighting back against child poverty
Published: 16 January 2025 at 19:00 Europe/London
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Episode notes
Our Kids in the North, a new series from The Northern Agenda, launched with a focus on the big societal problem that you can’t escape if you’re talking about children in the North of England: poverty.
In the second episode of our podcast, Rob Parsons talks about a part of the country that has so much going for it, but where the high rates of poverty are holding back the potential of tens of thousands of young people.
Nearly one in three child are living in poverty in the North East - but local leaders are now taking action themselves to give the region’s children a better chance.
Speaking to child poverty campaigners, entrepreneurs, top politicians, and charities who are helping reduce the effects of poverty, The Northern Agenda paints a concerning picture of the scale of the problem in the North East, but also highlights the determination of local leaders and communities to find innovative solutions to this pressing social issue.
Rob Parsons speaks to:
⬆️ Kim McGuinness, the new mayor of the North East, about how she plans to tackle the root causes of poverty as well as helping families deal with the short term impacts.
⬆️ Paul Lindley, the Yorkshire-born founder of Ella’s Kitchen, about why as a society we need to be switching our attention to our young people and take a much more entrepreneurial approach to finding the solutions that work.
⬆️ Sophie Balmer, a 21-year-old child poverty campaigner from Newcastle, about when she first realised she wanted to speak up on behalf of young people like her.
⬆️ Beth Major, chief executive of local charity The Junction, about the "multi-bank" that provides people struggling in the Tees Valley with surplus goods from companies and businesses, including clothes and hygiene products
The Northern Agenda: Our Kids in the North is a Reach Studio production, presented by Rob Parsons with contributions from Annie Gouk. The podcast is produced by Daniel J. McLaughlin.
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