“I cannot do the right thing for these kids; why have I got them when I cannot give them what they need? Deep down I know it’s not true but it is the emotional trauma that comes back to say you are not good enough.” – those are the heartwrenching words of someone fighting poverty in Ventnor.
A hard-hitting film, showcasing poverty in Ventnor, has been aired for the first time, sparking discussion on how the town can help its most at-need residents.
Commissioned by Ventnor Town Council (VTC) and made by local filmmaker David George of Utility Films, ‘Family Voice’ tells of the experiences of users of the town’s community foodbank, baby box and food and fuel vouchers.
Ventnor mayor, Councillor Steph Toogood, said a lot was heard about poverty nationally but on Monday evening, they were focusing on Ventnor and what it could do to help the situation. She said:
“Wherever you look there are problems and we do need to up our game.”
Tony McCarthy, VTC’s community development officer, said through the film they were trying to listen to people in poverty, capturing the views of those who were marginalised and ground down by poverty.
In the films, the words of Ventnor residents were spoken by actors and their names changed. 1 woman said she always had financial worries on her mind, having to make a choice between paying for food, electricity or gas and without enough money in the bank to pay all 3. Another said with the way things were at the moment, people are just going to be pushed further and further into poverty and there was no levelling up, it was just levelling down.
A father said as a family they have stuck together as they could not rely on services anymore and it was demoralising to have to use the foodbank as he wants to pay his way. He said it feels the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.
Following the film, groups discussed ways the council could help, including better signposting to services, warm banks, local mental health support, budgeting classes and sponsorship for families.
The town council will now take away all suggestions and feedback from the meeting and see if any can be implemented.
The film has not been made available online.
Isle of wighter will be orgasmic when he reads this article.
Wonder if he will sponcer a family ?
I would if i could.
Welcome to 21st Century Britain.
Welcoming to NOT knowing what real poverty is.
We don’t ‘do’ discrimination in this country.
SO, everyone gets the same treatment if in the same situation.
Some manage on the free rent, and free council tax and child allowance and tax credits of hundreds a week.
Others blow it on dope, drink, designer clothing, nails, fake tans, BMW cars, huge tv, latest phone, and THEN use their children as a weapon to gain sympathy or more out of the gulible.
IF I am wrong TELL ME WHY some get by and others can’t AS like I said, everyone is treated the same in this country when unemployed or having children?
wighter is pure filth. He hates everything and everyone except himself.
on the contrary timms – I enjoy seeing those supporting theirselves and ensuring that they live within their means and do not sponge off the state.
I loathe and despise with a passion, those that simply exist off the state without making any effort and those that turn up in this country, expecting hand outs without having contributed anything or even making any effort to get a job.
I certainly wont be sponsoring anyone.
When I see someone handing back their mobile phone, ditching the sky tv, getting rid of the car, forgetting holidays, new designer clothes, tobacco, booze,visits to the pub and other items that are not essential to life, then I will believe they are making an effort to cut their costs and deserve support
The government are giving money in one hand and taking it back with the other its becoming a nightmare for people weather working or on benefits I’d love to see the government manage but no chance it’s going back to Victorian times
How much money are spending housing illegals in 4 star hotels when our own people are struggling, maybe we should start taking care of our own first.
exactly – government is spending £5 million a day housing these leeches in hotels – kick them out on the street and say “fend for your selves, or go back to france, which is where you came from”
Perhaps SOME, and I say some (not all) on the Benefits Treadmill should think before having more children!
There are countless cases of singles mothers/long time out of work families who have yet more children despite not bothering to get work.
I know that’s going to be unpopular, but that is why I said SOME!