Woodcraft Folk unites with Trade Unions, schools, faith groups and other voluntary sector organisations to call upon the Government to take action to address childhood poverty.
Woodcraft Folk is committed to children’s rights, our young members have recently participated in an international project (Kids Got Rights) which supported 9 year olds to educate themselves, their peers and adults about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Our young members spoke passionately about the need to ensure the rights of all children were protected. Motivated by our young members, Woodcraft Folk Trustees have agreed to support the Enough is Enough campaign.
The Enough is Enough campaign recognises the need for all sectors to work together to bring about better outcomes for communities. The campaign demands:
- A real pay rise
- Energy bills to be slashed and the proposed October energy hike to be cancelled
- A end to food poverty
- Decent homes for all
- Greater taxation of the rich, making them pay their fair share
All of these issues impact on children as families are forced to make tough decisions as they see increased living costs.
Woodcraft Folk’s Chair of Trustee, 25 year old Aggie Taylor, explains;
“As an organisation that works with children around the UK, we are committed to ensuring every child has the skills, knowledge and opportunity to flourish, play and participate actively in their communities. Hungry children, children without heat and children who are suffering from poverty are not able to do this. We are committed as a charity to safeguarding our young people from the current cost of living crisis and helping them articulate and advocate for their rights.”
Woodcraft Folk will continue its educational work, ensuring children and young people understand their rights and supporting them to develop the skills and confidence to actively engage in democracy and social action projects to bring about fair and just changes in society.
Woodcraft Folk will seek to amplify the voices of our young members to call upon the Government to ensure they do not let down our children. We will lobby to ensure that every child has the right to:
- Life, survival and development. Article 6 which states: Every child has the right to life. Governments must do all they can to ensure that children survive and develop to their full potential.
- Health and health services. Article 24 which states: Every child has the right to the best possible health. Governments must provide good quality health care, clean water, nutritious food, and a clean environment and education on health and well-being so that children can stay healthy.
- Adequate standard of living. Article 27 which states: Every child has the right to a standard of living that is good enough to meet their physical and social needs and support their development.
- Governments must help families who cannot afford to provide this.
In 2021, 2.6 million children in England went short of food.
This month, Woodcraft Folk has joined forces with the National Education Union and the @NoChildBehindUK campaign asking for the Government in an open letter to extend free school meals to ensure no child goes hungry this winter. The letter, which launched this morning in the Mirror, brings together a diverse coalition of groups. You can add your name to the letter here .
Previously, Woodcraft Folk has delivered the Holiday Activities & Food programme, providing co-operative education and free hot meals to children and young people during the school holidays.