As I stand in line with foodbank users, we sometimes knock into each other like bowling pins being prepped for the next game. A fitting metaphor since poverty and homelessness are the bowling balls that scatter them across the lane. Yet when I look at their faces, I remember, at least I have full fridge at home.
For the hungry in Small Heath , one of Birmingham's most deprived wards , the trailer in front of them is their only chance to fill their bellies. It is -1C and my toes are numb, my fingers too stiff to clutch my notebook and pen so I shove them into my messenger bag. READ MORE: Birmingham pub bombings 50th anniversary - leave a tribute to families still fighting for justice Birmingham: A Child Poverty Emergency Child poverty is soaring in Birmingham and without urgent change, will only get worse.
Having worked with charities and community groups, BirminghamLive is campaigning for the following changes to start to turn the tide: End the two-child benefit cap Provide free school meals to every child in poverty Create a city “aid bank” for baby and child essentials Protect children’s and youth services Create permanent, multi year Household Support Fund and give more Discretionary Housing grants Set up child health and wellbeing hubs in our most deprived neighbourhoods Appoint a Birmingham child poverty tsar Provide free public travel for young people You can see why in more detail here . Read our full report Birmingham: A Child Poverty Emergency here . What you c.