By David Peel, member of Church Action on Poverty
We are all too familiar with the big gap between the spending power of the comfortably off and that of many residents of the less favoured parts of the Diocese.
The new North of the Tyne Combined Authority wants to reduce that gap, and has set up the Inclusive Economy Board to do this. The Board’s Chair is the Bishop of Newcastle, the Rt Revd Christine Hardman.
Church Action on Poverty North East invites you to an event on Saturday 25 September from 10am to 3pm, at which groups from Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland will share their experiences of exclusion – of not having a decent income, of what has made it hard to get a decent job or income, of the difficulties of getting training or qualifications and their ideas of what might help them on the path towards a better quality of life. All present will be able to mingle, and to share ideas and thinking.
It takes courage to speak out. We are asking you to be there for those who do so – letting them know that there is real support in the Church and the wider community for ‘Making our Economy Work for Everyone’.
Bishop Christine will attend, as will elected members of the authority, and they will respond to what they hear. They will explain what the board is trying to do with regard to the problems raised by the various groups, and, it is hoped, acknowledge the importance of listening to people who are currently at the losing end of economic life.
The event will be held at St Vincent’s Centre, New Bridge Street, Newcastle, NE1 2TQ. Registration will be at 9.45am, with tea and coffee served. Lunch will be provided. Please book your place at capnortheast@gmail.com. No charge, but donations welcome.