Challenge Poverty Week and Glasgow’s No Wrong Door Network

29th October 2024

#ChallengePovertyWeek was launched in 2013 by The Poverty Alliance to highlight the injustice of poverty in Scotland. This year, it took place from the 7th to the 13th of October, with events taking place across Scotland to unite organisations calling for a fairer, more equal Scotland.

To reflect on the partnership between GCVS and Glasgow City Council as we continue to work together on the Child Poverty Programme, here is an update on the progress so far, including what the No Wrong Door Network has been up to on Challenge Poverty Week.

What is The Child Poverty Programme?

The Child Poverty Programme is Glasgow’s commitment to eradicating poverty and creating a sustainable future for our citizens. Anchored in the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017, this programme sets ambitious targets to reduce child poverty rates by 2030 significantly. With renewed dedication under Scotland’s new First Minister, the initiative addresses poverty through meaningful collaboration between Glasgow City Council and the Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector (GCVS).

At the heart of the programme lies a pathfinder initiative to identify barriers to systemic change and enhance family well-being. Together, we’re harnessing the unique strengths of the public, third and housing sectors to build a connected, supportive environment that uplifts families and empowers communities as the programme evolves.

No Wrong Door

The No Wrong Door Network is a growing collective of service providers and third-sector organisations dedicated to creating a better, more connected system for families experiencing poverty. Over 200 third and public-sector organisations, voluntary groups, and social landlords have joined Glasgow’s No Wrong Door Network.

If your organisation assists children, families, and lone parents, we encourage you to consider joining the Glasgow No Wrong Door Network. We are particularly interested in hearing from organisations operating in the ten booster wards where our efforts are concentrated, guided by data.

Challenge Poverty Week Events

During Challenge Poverty Week, No Wrong Door hosted a network gathering at Glasgow City Chambers with around 80 delegates. Hilda Campbell from COPE Scotland led a Network Weaving Workshop, encouraging participants to reflect on their roles within the network and identify their goals. Notably, 38% of attendees recognised themselves as active “Co-Creators” committed to driving actions forward.

Through practical tools like Liberating Structures and 15% Solutions, Hilda guided the group to explore small, actionable changes to better support families in accessing the right help at the right time. The session equipped the network with valuable techniques for effective communication and collaboration.

Following the workshop, participants heard from John Sherry, Head of the Financial Inclusion and Innovation Team at Glasgow City Council and Strategic Lead for the Child Poverty Programme and Tony Quinn from GEMAP, who is co-leading the re-design of the Financial Inclusion Services.

John reflected on some of the achievements already made by the Child Poverty Programme but reminded us that transformation takes time. He said:

“What we are building is not about quick fixes; it’s about creating a long-term approach that truly supports families and children, who are the future of our city.”

He discussed some of the Demonstrations of Change being tested in Calton, Govan, and Southside Central. He emphasised using data-driven approaches and embedding learning and reflection throughout the process.

Tony shared insights as a No Wrong Door partner, focusing on re-designing financial inclusion with a data-driven, targeted approach. He noted past challenges in aligning sector goals with Glasgow City Council’s procedures around funding and commissioning. As part of the Child Poverty Programme, Tony appreciates the opportunity to engage more deeply, breaking down barriers and building trusted, transparent relationships that support meaningful service reform in Southside Central and the advice sector.

The event ended with a Q&A and a call for continued collaboration. John Sherry endorsed continuing to work together across services, sectors, and communities to build a city where “every family is supported, no child falls through the cracks, and every door is the right door.”

Find the questions and feedback from the session here.

The second event, a Child Poverty Data Webinar hosted by Data Scientist Neil Currie, Guy Wells from Data & Insights, and Kirsty Whiteside from No Wrong Door, provided an overview of Glasgow City Council’s Child Poverty Report and Dashboard. The session covered the project’s background, data sources, and practical use of the dashboard for targeting services and informing decisions. Accessible to the public, the dashboard leverages Council Tax Reduction data to map poverty in Glasgow, with a focus on priority groups like lone-parent families, large families, and those with disabilities. The webinar showcased real-world applications like play area redevelopment, childcare pilot expansions, and holiday food programme funding.

The Child Poverty Report 2024

Each year, the Centre for Civic Innovation reports Glasgow’s progress meeting the Scottish Government’s child poverty targets. Launched during Challenge Poverty Week, this report is exceptionally well-designed and presents statistics in an accessible format. Unlike previous editions, it effectively incorporates stories from health visitors and other professionals, offering compelling personal insights into community challenges. The reflection sections highlight examples of good practice, emphasise the importance of empowering communities, and present actionable solutions.

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