This week is Challenge Poverty Week. Created by the Poverty Alliance in 2013, Challenge Poverty Week enables organisations across Scotland to come together and call for a more equal Scotland, free from poverty.
Throughout the week, we will be posting across our channels to raise awareness of the specific issues highlighted by the Poverty Alliance, and the aligning work that MCR Pathways and our partner organisations are doing to support young people who experience poverty.
23% of Scotland’s children and young people currently live in poverty, which is defined as living in a household with income below 60% of the national average. This means that these young people living in poverty are unlikely to have the same opportunities to grow and develop as their peers, impacting on their education, health and future prospects. Children and young people in Scotland are at greater risk of poverty than anyone else in the country.
MCR Pathways are determined to play a key part in eradicating poverty and mitigating the effects of child poverty through relationship-based mentoring, and by working alongside like minded organisations to create lasting change. Mentoring offers a practical and proven solution to the effects of child poverty. Through a simple connection with a trusted adult, mentoring allows young people to thrive by increasing their confidence and self-belief, motivating them to find brighter futures and helping to expand their horizons beyond school.
Earlier this year, we were invited by the Scottish Government to contribute to the research and recommendations for their new Tackling Child Poverty Plan 2026-2031. We undertook a number of consultations and roundtable discussions with over 50 organisations, mentors, and MCR Pathways young people on the topic of child poverty, and the contributions of young people proved invaluable.
The young people supported by MCR Pathways were candid about their views on their opportunities to access further and higher education after school. Many believe that it is not financially possible for them. We do not believe this should be the case, and that all young people deserve the opportunity to follow their chosen path.
We are proud to join the Poverty Alliance in demanding that student financial support should equate the national living wage. Students cannot live and excel with means below the standard living wage, and we cannot expect them to. Students need to have access to a real living wage year round, for the duration of their time studying.
While we celebrate the widening access initiatives many institutions have taken to support students with financial constraints, such as free housing, scholarships and hardship funds, low-cost food pantries and dedicated welfare and money advice teams etc. However, more can be done to ensure students feel financially secure throughout their time studying to minimise the likelihood of them leaving education due to financial constraints before they can complete their studies.
MCR Pathways are co-sponsoring the Scotland Demands Better March on the 25th of October in Edinburgh to help ensure young people’s voices are heard on this and many more matters.
To join us on the day, get in contact with our Policy team at policy@mcrpathways.org
