Gen-up (360G-SCVO-a0gb000000QAPCeAAP)

We will work with local partner organisations to bring them closer to individuals and families who are often hard to engage with by running 6 monthly information and community engagement open days. This will enable local people to broaden their knowledge around welfare issues and find ways of improving their circumstances through improved self-management and/or by knowing which agencies can support people The monthly sessions will also connect people to services and opportunities to overcome social isolation and address anxiety as well as working with local people and the community to design its own safety net and build on and harness the assets of local people and volunteers to find their own solutions, linking with existing community initiatives such as: The Churches Partnership, the Happier in your skin campaign, Belt it oot , the Community Planning Thriving Places approach and local developments with partners co designing accessible information around welfare reform and avoiding sanctions What makes this special and innovative is that the community are approaching agencies to say what support they need to find solutions as opposed to individuals passively waiting to see what is offered. Already we have piloted two events with partners who are supportive of what we are seeking to do and have had attendances close to 100 each time, we also have events planned for Challenge Poverty week to look at how we as a community can take steps to challenge poverty