Driving Change: Collaborative Efforts on ‘A Cash First Approach’
During Challenge Poverty Week, Transformation Cornwall joined forces with IFAN and Trussell to champion a ‘Cash First Approach’ in South West England. An initiative that aims to reduce the need for food banks by providing direct financial support to those in need.
Last week, we participated in the webinar “Cash First Communities in South West England,” co-hosted by IFAN and Trussell. This online event, following joint conferences in Scotland, provided an opportunity for people from across the South West (and beyond!) to learn about the best approaches being taken in our communities. The event was also an opportunity to raise awareness of the groundbreaking work that’s underway in Scotland to deliver on the Scottish Government’s plan “Cash First: Towards ending the need for food banks in Scotland.”
We shared the key achievements of our collaborative efforts over the past three years with more than 80 participants. Alongside our partners from IFAN and Trussell, we initially talked about the co-development in June 2021 of Cornwall’s first Worrying About Money? leaflet. Building on this tool, we collaboratively released a report in November 2021, which laid the foundation for future work. The report aimed to support Cornwall Council in creating a clear and accessible route for individuals facing financial hardship on how to access essential funds such as Crisis, Care Awards and the Household Support Fund.
In June 2023 and January 2024, we held two in-person discussion forums in St Austell, bringing together many different frontline organisations and agencies supporting people facing poverty and financial hardship across Cornwall.
Transformation Cornwall remains committed to maintaining the momentum of a cash first approach. We continue to support communication between Cornwall Council to frontline organisations about the allocation of Household Support Fund and other crisis support. In partnership with IFAN, we also promote the ‘Money Counts’ training to staff and volunteers across Cornwall, ensuring they feel confident using the Worrying About Money? Leaflet with those they support.
Following the webinar, Sam Williams, Campaigns and Community Organising Manager at Transformation Cornwall said: “We are grateful to our partners at IFAN and Trussell to provide us with such platform and for the opportunity to share the collective work we've been doing to alleviate food and financial insecurity in Cornwall, including strengthening the link between Cornwall Council and grassroot organisations. We are determined to build on what we’ve done so far and further the delivery of a cash first approach for one and all.”
You can access the ‘Worrying About Money’ resources here.
