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Council supports Challenge Poverty Week

Council Leader Marie Burns with Challenge Poverty Week campaign logos

North Ayrshire Council is – once again – proudly backing Challenge Poverty Week to help people who are living in crisis.

The week-long drive (6 to 12 October) shines a light on poverty and what we can do to help make life better for people who are struggling to make ends meet.

Arranged by the Poverty Alliance charity, the week of events and awareness raising inspires communities to work together, support each other and find new ways to change attitudes.

This is the tenth consecutive year the Council has proudly shown its support, and Council Leader Marie Burns says it is vital now – more than ever – for people living in our communities show compassion and empathy towards those who are in need or are at risk of poverty.

Quote: Paying for life’s essentials - like food and household bills – remains just out of reach for many people. Contributing factors to this, in recent years, have included rising inflation, hikes in energy costs and the lasting impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. It is a privilege for us, as a local authority, to support Challenge Poverty Week and use it as an opportunity to further promote the many existing services and partner organisations that are here to offer support to anyone in need.

Quote from: Councillor Marie Burns, Leader of North Ayrshire Council

The themes for this year’s activities are: Social security – building a foundation for a better life; Better jobs, pay, hours, conditions and worker voice; Better investment in life’s essentials; Better investment in our communities; Warm homes, green travel and safe climate with time for reflection on Saturday and Sunday.

Here in North Ayrshire, throughout the week, the Council’s social media channels will be used to highlight:

  • How the team at North Ayrshire’s welfare rights and money advice service, Money Smart, can help residents financially
  • The great work being done through our network of community larders
  • How local employers are playing their part by hiring locally and paying a fair wage
  • The role our Third Sector partners play in supporting residents
  • The Council’s investment in new homes and capital projects and
  • How access to different forms of transport, like bikes, is making a real difference.

The Council’s top priorities include reducing child poverty and supporting residents through the ongoing Cost-of-living Crisis.

Existing support available through the Council includes: Crisis and Community Care Grants; free school meals and clothing grants; Council Tax reduction and Discretionary Housing Payment.

Follow the Council’s social media channels between 6 and 12 October, using #ChallengePoverty and #CPW25, to find out more.

Published: 02 October 2025

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