Organisations mark Challenge Poverty Week with events across Scotland

Coordinated by the Poverty Alliance, Challenge Poverty Week (Monday 6 October to Sunday 12 October 2025) is a Scotland-wide campaign that challenges the stigma and discrimination often associated with poverty, and encourages a unified voice against the injustice of poverty.

As the week begins, First Minister John Swinney has said the Scottish Government is committed to putting “more money in people’s pockets” through policies that alleviate financial pressures on families.

The First Minister said the Scottish Government’s cost of living guarantee, which includes free bus travel for 2.3 million people, more than £6,000 in early learning and childcare support for each eligible child, free prescriptions and other measures, is delivering real savings for families across the country.  

The guarantee sits alongside wider support, such as the Five Family Payments, including the Scottish Child Payment, which are reducing poverty. 

The proportion of Scottish children living in absolute poverty has reached its lowest level in 30 years and the latest figures (for 2023-24) show that the rates of both relative and absolute child poverty in Scotland were 9 percentage points lower than the UK average.   

Scottish Government policies are estimated to keep 70,000 children out of relative poverty in 2025-26. This impact is projected to grow over time to reach 100,000 children by 2028-29 – in part owing to plans to mitigate the UK Government’s two-child limit, which should keep 20,000 children out of poverty next year.  

Mr Swinney said: “Tackling child poverty is this government’s defining mission and our determination is backed up by a commitment to put more money in people’s pockets and deliver real savings to support families.   

“There are fewer children in poverty in Scotland than the rest of the UK because we have made bold policy choices backed by an unwavering resolve. 

“The Scottish Child Payment was benefitting around 322,000 children and their families as of the end of June. Our free school meals programme is providing nutritious meals to more than 230,000 primary school pupils. We have cut costs for commuters by scrapping peak rail fares. Some 2.3 million people travel free on buses. And we’re mitigating the two-child limit early next year.  

“The UK Government, if it is serious about tackling poverty, must match our ambition and, at the very least, fully scrap the two-child limit so that a generation of children don’t have their opportunities limited by inaction. 

“But scrapping the two-child limit should also be done alongside the removal of the benefit cap. It is unconscionable to me that the UK Government could fail to address this – it must scrap both punitive policies.  

“If it does, and it matches the Scottish Child Payment and introduces an Essentials Guarantee, our modelling estimates that the UK Government could reduce relative child poverty in Scotland by 100,000 children next year.   

“We have made a difference through bold, game-changing policies. The blueprint is there. It is time for the UK Government to act.”

Govanhill Housing Association to hold full programme of events

Govanhill Housing Association will run events every day with a focus on reducing social isolation, budget management and ways to save money. The event is being organised by the Association, with support from contractors C.A.S and MEARS Group.

Govanhill Housing Association is based in one of Scotland’s most deprived areas, as most of the neighbourhood sits in the bottom 10% on the SIMD index. Poverty is a part of everyday life for many Association tenants.

Highlights of the week include an intergenerational knitting session with residents at Jamieson Court, ‘Making your Money go Further’: an event including staff from the Association and other organisations, where tenants can come and have soup and a sandwich and find out how to maximise their incomes and save money.  

Thursday will see contractor MEARS Group providing a repairs workshop, followed by a hot lunch. On Monday the 13th, in recognition of the school holidays starting, the Association will hold an event for parents and carers with children, where everyone will receive a lunch box and activity pack.  

Audrey Flannagan, Association tenant, vice chair and former manager of the Southeast Food Bank, said: “It is shocking that so many people live in dire poverty in this day and age, a fact we are all too aware of in Govanhill. I am pleased that the Association will be marking Challenge Poverty week with this series of events, which complement the work that staff already do every day of the week to support tenants with the increasing cost of living.”

Claire McGraw, head of tenancy services, said: “Challenging poverty is an integral aspect of our work at the Association, and something we do all year round, whether that’s by offering welfare rights support, education grants for tenants who are studying or by distributing appliances like air-fryers to tenants in need.”

Aberdeen supports Challenge Poverty Week 2025

Aberdeen City Council’s Anti-Poverty & Inequality Committee and Community Planning Aberdeen’s Anti-Poverty Group are calling on residents, businesses and the third sector to join them in supporting Challenge Poverty Week.

Councillor Christian Allard, co-leader of Aberdeen City Council, and the chair of the Community Planning Aberdeen Board, said: “Challenge Poverty Week is an important opportunity to showcase the ongoing anti-poverty initiatives in Aberdeen and to encourage coordinated action to reduce stigma and improve the lives of those affected by poverty.  By working in partnership, we can amplify the voices of those with lived experience and drive meaningful change across Aberdeen.”

Councillor Desmond Buchanan, vice-convener, of the Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee, said: “We encourage everyone – residents, businesses and organisations – to get involved in Challenge Poverty Week. Together, we can challenge stigma, support those in need, and build a more compassionate and just Aberdeen for all.”

According to the latest data from the End Child Poverty Coalition and the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University, in 2023/24, an estimated 7,825 (19.1%) children in Aberdeen were living in poverty (after housing costs).

On Monday, 6 October, to mark the start of Challenge Poverty Week, Marischal College will be illuminated in pink and blue in a show of solidarity. Other events that will take place during the week:

Jobs Fair

Date: Tuesday 7 October

Time: 10am-3pm

Location: Aberdeen Foyer, Marywell Centre, Marywell Street, AB11 6JF

Admission: Free

In partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Aberdeen Foyer will host a jobs fair to connect local people with employers, training, and support services, with a focus on supporting those furthest from the job market. To find out more, please go to: https://www.aberdeenfoyer.com

Money - how to ask the questions 

Date: Tuesday 7 October

Time:  12.30pm - 1.30pm

Location:  online  - to register for this event, please go to Eventbrite

Admission: Free

ACVO will host an online session for service providers, featuring speakers from the Independent Food Aid Network and ACVO, to help staff support people struggling with money and signpost them to the right help. To find out more, please go to: www.acvo.org.uk/events

Empower Aberdeen

Date: Wednesday 8 October

Time: 10am-2pm

Location: Music Hall, Union Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1QS

Admission: Free

Scarf will host Empower Aberdeen, a free community drop-in event bringing together 60 local charities, services and support organisations under one roof. It is a chance for residents to discover help available across the city, and for organisations to connect and strengthen the support network that improves lives in Aberdeen. To find out more, please click here.

Challenge Poverty Week Aberdeen: film and presentation event 

Date: Friday 10 October

Time: 10am - 12.30pm

Location: Cowdray Hall, Schoolhill, Aberdeen, AB10 1JQ  

Admission: Free

Hosted by Fairer Aberdeen Fund partners, this event will raise awareness of the lived experience of poverty and inequality of Aberdeen, featuring films, presentations, panel discussions, and group sessions. To attend, please visit the Eventbrite page https://faf-cpw25.eventbrite.com/

Tillydrone Information Day

Date: Saturday 11 October

Time: 11am-2pm

Location: Tillydrone Community Campus, 52 Hayton Road, Aberdeen, AB24 2UY

Admission: Free

A local information day to connect residents with support and information on debt advice, employment support and mental health. Fun activities for children and free soup and sandwiches will be available at the event.

Support to help combat cost-of-living crisis in Perth and Kinross

Perth and Kinross residents struggling with the cost-of-living are being invited to attend a Community Support Event bringing together a range of support services this week.

The event will take place in the Civic Hall at Perth and Kinross Council’s officers from 10m to 2pm at 2 High Street, Perth, on 7 October to coincide with Challenge Poverty Week.

The first Community Support Event organised by Home Energy Scotland and the Perth and Kinross Anti-Poverty Taskforce took place in October 2024.

Since then, eight such events have taken place across Perth and Kinross.

Each one sees organisations such as Home Energy Scotland, Perth Citizens Advice, Scarf on hand to provide practical advice and information to residents.

A total of 24 organisations and charities, such as Alzheimer Scotland, Aberlour and Christians Against Poverty, will also attend October’s event.

Shaheena Din, chair or Perth and Kinross Anti-Poverty Taskforce, said: “People experience poverty in different ways, but it always shows that something has gone wrong in how our society supports people.

“The Anti-Poverty Taskforce believe things can be done better, both locally and nationally, to make sure everyone has what they need to live well. Challenge Poverty Week is Perth & Kinross’s yearly chance to speak up about the unfairness of poverty.

“It’s a time to come together, share ideas, and take action to make change happen. We hope lots of local people will join us at our events to learn more and find out how we can challenge poverty together.”

Home Energy Scotland covers six local authorities in the north-east of Scotland, including Perth and Kinross.

Over the past year it has helped 21, 298 households, helping people save a combined £860, 294 on their fuel bills.

Advice Centre manager Michael Marley said: “Over the past year, we at Home Energy Scotland have been proud to team up with the Perth and Kinross Anti-Poverty Taskforce to bring Community Support Events to towns and cities across the region.

“These events have helped connect residents with practical advice and real support to make life a little easier.

Perth and Kinross Council leader Councillor Eric Drysdale said: “Fuel poverty continues to affect around 30% of households in Perth and Kinross, with many families in rural areas facing even greater challenges due to older housing and rising energy costs. That’s why events like this are so important—they bring together the right people, the right support, and the right information to help residents make lasting improvements to their homes and lives.

“I’d urge everyone to come along and see what support is available – you may be surprised at the help you may be entitled to.”

Challenging poverty and supporting people in North Lanarkshire

North Lanarkshire Council is supporting Challenge Poverty Week by sharing information and advice about the support available to help families struggling with income or money worries.

A series of free events hosted by the council, its partners and voluntary organisations has also been organised and will take place in local communities. 

These sessions range from health and wellbeing and benefits advice to numeracy and literacy groups and managing money. There’s lots of valuable, expert advice on hand. In addition to in-person events there is also a series of Poverty Alliance Breakfast Briefings, providing online opportunities to engage in sessions including social security, jobs and life’s essentials. 

Online information is being offered to help support people across the area who are living with or facing poverty. Thousands of households are suffering from low incomes and high living costs. The information will provide practical steps people can take to help boost their income and improve their lives.  

Councillor Chris Costello, convener of Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee, said, “The annual Challenge Poverty Week provides an opportunity for organisations and people across the country to highlight the injustice of poverty and to raise their voice against poverty. 

“By working with partners to deliver key events and sessions this week we’re continuing to provide vital, expert support to the most vulnerable people in our local communities.”  

Challenge Poverty Week events in Clackmannanshire

Clackmannanshire Council is working with its partners to plan a week of events and activities to mark Challenge Poverty Week 2025.

The Clackmannanshire Tackling Poverty Partnership’s ambition is for all people in Clackmannanshire to live longer in good health by reducing inequalities and child poverty.

The aim of the week, which is a national campaign led by the Poverty Alliance, is to raise awareness of the impacts of poverty and to share information on the local projects and services which support individuals and families.

Here in Clackmannanshire, there are a number of events being held, for professionals looking to network and boost their knowledge and for the public seeking advice and information.

These include a knowledge exchange for professionals, which will look to raise awareness about organisations in Clackmannanshire supporting people to access life’s essentials. Tickets are available here

There is also an invite-only event hosted by the council and Financially Included, themed around the links between violence against women and girls and poverty.

Events open to the public include a Young People & Families One Stop Shop at The Hive, Alloa, from 10am – noon on Monday, 6 October;  the ‘Community Visions’ Art Exhibition launch at the Spiers Centre, Alloa from 2pm to 3pm on Thursday, 9 October and climate themed activities for young people and families are running throughout the week at Gartmorn Dam.

Council leader and chair of the Clackmannanshire Alliance, Councillor Ellen Forson, said: “In Clackmannanshire, we are committed to tackling the injustice of poverty and helping to make sure everyone has the chance to thrive and look forward to a brighter future.

“I’m really pleased to be working with our partners at the Knowledge Exchange so we can join forces and take action together to end poverty in our communities.

“I’d love to see as many local people as possible getting involved in Challenge Poverty Week activities. It’s a great chance to find out about the support that’s out there and to come together to build a fairer, stronger Clackmannanshire for everyone.”

Borders family support directory

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) is supporting this year’s Challenge Poverty Week with the launch of a new family support directory.

The online directory provides an overview of local and national support services available to families and will be a helpful resource for all parents and carers. The directory is organised to help them find relevant information quickly, based on age group and the type of support required.

The council is also highlighting the wide range of support, information, and advice available across the region to other groups, including young people, older people, working individuals and those living with a disability.

Whether through low income, unemployment, ill health, an unexpected change in circumstances or for some other reason out with their control, whatever the cause, it is important for individuals and families who are experiencing poverty to check their eligibility and find out what financial support they could be entitled to.

SBC’s website provides a range of detailed information about what grants, benefits and support people may be entitled to and how to apply.

Councillor Robin Tatler, SBC’s executive member for communities and equalities, said: “It is really important that people take that first step to find out what support they may be eligible for.

“The council’s new online family support directory brings a range of support services into one place – allowing all families to quickly find relevant information on local and national support services.

“I would urge anyone experiencing financial hardship to have a look at the support that is available to them through the Scottish Borders Council website and make sure they get in touch to see how the council and our many partner organisations may be able to help.”