Families in the Cowdenbeath area are getting vital help thanks to a strong network of local organisations working together to tackle poverty. Fife Council and community partners have committed funding to deliver projects that make a real difference for people struggling to make ends meet.

From warm spaces in winter and holiday meal programmes for children, to job clubs, energy advice, and emergency support funds, these initiatives are designed to provide practical help when it’s needed most – and to give people the tools to build a better future.

Recent figures show that around one in five children in the area live in low-income families, and 15% of residents are income deprived, higher than the Fife average. Local teams are working hard to change this by offering face-to-face welfare advice, help with benefits and debt, and support to find work.

In some cases, this has meant thousands of pounds in extra income for families who didn’t know what they were entitled to. The work being delivered is focussed on prevention of poverty and building resilient households, alongside some direct support for those who need it most.

The Cowdenbeath Poverty Action Group brings together local services, charities, and volunteers to make sure support is joined up and easy to access. This partnership approach means people can get help quickly and with dignity, without being passed from service to service.

Councillor Alex Campbell, convenor of the Cowdenbeath Area Committee, said: “No one should have to choose between heating and eating. We know times are tough for many families, and that’s why we’re working hand in hand with local groups to provide real, practical support. The strength of these partnerships shows what can be achieved when we all pull together – and we’re committed to doing even more to help our communities thrive.”