Demand to tackle poverty in Greater Manchester

Warmer housing, affordable childcare and credit are the overwhelming priorities for Greater Manchester families blighted by poverty, says The Children’s Society.

A new survey, commissioned to launch a major new initiative in the region, reveals huge demand for help to tackle deep-seated social issues affecting Greater Manchester.

It’s estimated that there are 150,000 children living in poverty in Greater Manchester – among the highest rates in the country.

The poll of more 1,000 adults, carried out to mark the setting up of The Children’s Society in Greater Manchester, revealed that 94%¹ of adults want high quality childcare and a staggering 98% are calling for clean, safe and warm housing.

The scale of the problems facing children are estimated by The Children’s Society to be among the worst they’ve been in the charity’s 120 year old history in Greater Manchester.

The initiative hopes to have the greatest possible impact on young lives in the area, by working collaboratively and fostering partnerships with other organisations across the area.

It aims to raise public awareness of the issues around child poverty and adolescent neglect and reinforce The Children’s Society in Greater Manchester as experts on these issues.

The Children’s Socitey has been present in Greater Manchester since 1891 when it opened the Home for Boys in Rochdale and now helps 3,500 children across a range of services.

In addition to operating several Children’s Centres, The Children’s Society also runs services in children’s rights and advocacy, and therapeutic counselling. It operates programmes for runaways and those facing sexual exploitation, and supports young refugees and those seeking asylum.

The Children’s Society wants to study how children and young people are being impacted by poverty and neglect across the region, and develop ground-breaking solutions to tackling the issues.