- ATD Fourth World

What a difference a year makes: a new government, new policies, new fears and new insecurities.

The impact of the recession and the cuts on families in poverty stirs much debate but the reality is quite simple: those with nothing still have nothing, but are now threatened with having even less.

At a recent meeting, one participant’s view was stark: “The government wants to get rid of the deficit very quickly; they want an instant legacy to prove to everyone that the coalition works. But what this is doing is creating a condition of fear amongst the poor, which is disgusting… We’re afraid that they will just give our homes to people who aren’t on benefits, to people who can afford them. It’ll be like social cleansing, moving us out of our neighbourhoods.”

Currently the recession and cuts in public spending are interacting with welfare reform on a massive scale. The most vulnerable families could possibly have weathered one or another, but now all three together are crashing in on them simultaneously.

Many of the organisations these families would turn to face increased demand for their services combined with reductions in funding and resources. At the same time, long-term strategies, preventive programmes and services for the disadvantaged are being cut by local authorities faced with impossible choices and unrealistic deadlines.

And yet ATD Fourth World’s experience demonstrates that joined-up, long-term thinking grounded in the expertise of people with first-hand experience of poverty is essential in producing innovative policy and practice. Our holistic Family Support Programme shows that families confronted by many difficulties can, given the right conditions and support, stand on their own two feet and take control of their lives.

We must stay hopeful that the infrastructure needed to nurture partnerships, dialogue and innovation remains in place and provides fresh opportunities and insight in these challenging times.

We thank you for your ongoing support.
Martin Kalisa, Daniel Kenningham and Sarah Kenningham
National Co-ordination Team
ATD Fourth World

This article is taken from the introduction to to the ATD Fourth World Annual Review 2010, which can be downloaded here.