Chief Executive message

October 2024 - you can, and you are - making a difference to the lives of Glaswegians

Many colleagues across the Glasgow Family will already be aware that Monday sees the beginning of Challenge Poverty Week across Scotland.

It's an opportunity for us all, regardless of our roles, to reflect on both the impact of poverty throughout our communities and the actions we can take to address it.

As a council, our strategic plan commits us to tackling a series of 'Grand Challenges' - including the reduction of poverty and inequality in our communities.

Across our services, departments and teams we all have something to contribute; whether that is by delivering direct support to our most vulnerable citizens, ensuring our services are accessible to all, or improving our places to ensure our communities can thrive.

 You can - and you are - making a difference to the lives of Glaswegians.

The city's Community Plan also puts family poverty at the heart of what we do - and challenges us to come together, elected members and officials alike, to focus on prevention; ensuring those in need receive the right help at the right time.

Leading on this priority, the Child Poverty Programme is a multi-agency network spanning not only the council and Health and Social Care Partnership, but representatives from across the third sector, housing associations, and the University of Glasgow.

Over the course of the last 18 months, the work of that partnership has helped us to better understand that, in order to tackle the magnitude of poverty in Glasgow, we need to make some fundamental changes to the way we plan our services.

There are many examples of amazing work that is already happening across our city, but one recurring problem is that a whole range of different organisations have been working very hard but, more often than not, separately.

If all that effort can be combined and targeted, we have to believe there is an opportunity for real change.

We are committed to working collaboratively with people and organisations across Glasgow to co-design a new system that places the rights and preferences of the people who use our services at its heart.

A city-wide 'No Wrong Door' approach will allow us to respond to the needs of Glaswegians in a way that takes closer account of their unique experiences and circumstances.

I know that looking at the child poverty statistics paints a bleak picture - and, for those of us working in the public sector, being confronted with the realities that many of our citizens are facing can be both overwhelming and disheartening.

So, to give ourselves the best chance of delivering for those who really need us, it is important that we look after our own wellbeing and ask for support if we need it.

We also need to understand, as a team, that a change in circumstances can affect anyone; even people we might assume are financially secure. Nobody should feel ashamed about asking for help.

 The Workforce Wellbeing Section of our website has helpful resources for staff.

I know the task might seem impossibly big - and, yes, there is a lot to do. However, through conversation, compassion and collective action change is possible.

• Find out more about the events taking place during Challenge Poverty Week on the Poverty Alliance website.

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