Join NIAPN, Foyle Network Foundation (Foyle Foodbank), Focus Project CregganDerry in standing up against this draft Anti Poverty Strategy. It isn't fit for purpose. 11 Sept, 6.45, outside central library Derry before public consultation. DM to endorse.

🧵There is wide consensus that the Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy is not a strategy. We've been collaborating for the last two months to engage with as many people as possible to hear about what they want to see before the consultation closes on 19 Sept. Here are the highlights:

1. Over 75 organisations and individuals wrote to the Executive to say that the draft strategy isn't a strategy, as it doesn't outline tangible goals or targets to "eradicate poverty" which is outlined as the overall aim: niapn.org/open-letter-to…

2. Over the summer Trása Canavan & me spoke at summer festivals including Féile Derry & Ardoyne & Bone Community Festival about the anger, frustration and disappointment surrounding the strategy.

3. Following feedback from local communities like Shankhill & Creggan Save the Children Northern Ireland Women's Support Net & Northern Ireland Anti Poverty Network developed an accessible toolkit to use with community groups which includes a video, an accessible summary of the draft APS and simple feedback form: niapn.org/have-your-voic…

4. Two amazing women who work in their communities with people surviving on a low-income - Rachel & Louise spoke to Tara Mills & Declan Harvey about their own experiences & what they'd like to see in an Anti-Poverty Strategy: bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0…

5. Trussell Northern Ireland Barnardo's NI & Joseph Rowntree Foundation in NI organised a conference that brought together over 160 people to #RiseAgainstPoverty. Fiona King delivered an excellent keynote speech about progress in Scotland. And Nia Prasetya lived-experienced panel hosted a workshop.

6. The Anti-Poverty Strategy Group has updated its recommendations paper. It takes a life cycle approach and offers a genuine roadmap to eradicate poverty. It is not a wish list. Minister Lyons says there are similarities between APSG paper & the draft APS. This is untrue.

7. I spoke with Stormont Sources about the draft APS. Following my discussion with David McCann - the panel agreed that the draft APS is a missed opportunity. You can catch up here: youtu.be/SF_EItl8ZqE?si…

8. Following our engagement with Shankill Shared Women's Centre - a Governor from Hydebank Wood College got in touch & asked us to speak to a group of women. We used our toolkit and they outlined the huge barriers that exist to rebuilding your life after being in prison.

9. DfC are hosting just three evening consultation events (Derry/L'Derry, Omagh & Belfast) - all in the evening, which won't suit many people with children. Northern Ireland Anti Poverty Network & others are organising a "Speak Out" in DLD. Details are below:

10. Me and Trása Canavan are excited to appear on Youth@CLC's Podcast, "Rights Unmuted" to discuss the Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy. Two young people will host the show Children's Law Centre (CLC).

11. Also looking forward to joining RCN NI at one of its consultation events with members. Rural poverty is different. There is no indication that this has been considered in the draft APS.

It couldn't be clearer - the current draft APS is not good enough. The NI Executive needs to return to the drawing board. Michelle O’Neill Emma Little-Pengelly BL Aisling Reilly SF Pam Cameron MLA Naomi Long MLA Mike Nesbitt John O' Dowd Paul Givan Gordon Lyons MLA Liz Kimmins Andrew Muir MLA

Join NIAPN and others Thursday 11 Sept at 6.45pm, Central Library. Get in touch to endorse or to speak!

Do you work in the community? Or with young people? Consider using the Northern Ireland Anti Poverty Network toolkit to help people respond to the Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy:niapn.org/have-your-voic… I'm excited to use it with 140 post-qualifying social workers tomorrow! Ulster Applied Social and Policy Sciences

NIAPN will submit the following response to the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy - feel free to use it, share it, quote it.. share.google/ZDkQ94hNE4xEv4…

derryjournal.com/community/anti…

The Executive’s draft Anti-Poverty Strategy is not fit for purpose. Community groups had a clear message outside tonight’s consultation meeting: we need a plan that actually meets the needs of people and families. We remain committed to working together to end poverty across

With just a few days to go until the close of Stormont’s consultation on its draft anti-poverty strategy, we’ve been to some women’s support groups in Belfast to find out what people think of it. They told us about the suffering & pressure being felt in communities🗣️