An urgent appeal has been launched by a charity after a study found that more than 300,000 children in the Diocese of Salford are living in poverty.
Caritas Salford found that 302,158 children in the Diocese of Salford, which covers Greater Manchester and parts of Lancashire, are currently living in poverty, a 24% rise from this time last year.
The study, which was taken from research by Loughborough University, has lead the charity to launch a summer appeal asking for donations to continue helping children in the area.
The figures have also lead Caritas to call on the government to provide first-hand support for struggling families.
Patrick O’Dowd, director of Caritas Salford, said: “We’re urging local and national government and other key decision makers to act immediately to try and reverse this near catastrophic situation many people are finding themselves in. There’s so much talk and rhetoric, but that isn’t going to help people on the ground – the hardworking people we see every day struggling to feed their family three meals a day or keep a safe, secure roof over their heads.
“Sadly, we also fear these figures are probably only the tip of a very large iceberg, showing only part of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on communities in the area. The reality, sadly is probably much, much worse.
“We’ve seen that in the appalling increase in the number of children experiencing poverty in the last twelve months and this terrible spiral will continue if action isn’t taken right now.
“This should include changes to policies that support real families who need help immediately, for example by ending the two-child limit on benefits, increasing the number of children with access to free school meals, encouraging employers to pay the real living wage, and addressing other issues at the root cause of poverty experienced by so many.
The charity, which has a mission to end poverty, runs a range of services, including a community pantry, and a fund for families in crisis, people experiencing homelessness, disadvantage and isolation in the area.
Patrick added: “Tragically, these appalling figures don’t come as a surprise as our staff and volunteers are seeing first-hand every day the impact of poverty on the lives of people we work alongside.
“Every day, families come to us who are struggling and having to make heart-breaking decisions on what they can and can’t afford to provide for their children. Often, people who work one or two jobs are having to come to us to use our showers, for example, as they aren’t able to afford the utility bills to wash at home.
“While we’re always here for people in Greater Manchester and Lancashire who need our help, it shouldn’t be down to charities to ensure people are able to have basic human rights and the dignity we all deserve.”
Bishop John Arnold, said: “These latest statistics from our diocese are truly heartbreaking and, while Caritas is working hard on the ground to support people in our communities who need help at this extremely challenging time in our history, true change will only happen by everyone coming together for the greater good and driving forward immediate change.
“That so many children are experiencing such poverty, suffering and hardship in 2023 is absolutely unacceptable and every one of us, whether we’re a decision maker, employer, neighbour or friend should be doing everything we can to urgently right this terrible situation.
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