Welcome to the webpage for the Peterborough Poverty Call for Evidence. On this page, you can find information on how you can get involved in this work.
Introduction to the project
We are embarking on a project aiming to transform the way that poverty and disadvantage is approached within Peterborough, with a view to developing a single strategy focused on increasing the cumulative impact of the work taking place and creating thriving, resilient communities.
This project cannot be done in isolation and will extend relationships with partners from community through to statutory sector organisations building on work such as that of Peterborough Council for Voluntary Services (PCVS) through the Poverty Truth Commission.
Poverty is a key determinant of health. It is strongly associated with poorer outcomes across:
- Life expectancy
- Mental health
- Child development
- Employment
- Chronic illness
Peterborough is in the most deprived 20% of all local authorities in England. A few local wards are amongst the most deprived 10% in the country. Deprivation is not a new issue for the city and is often multi-generational and entrenched.
In light of these socio-economic challenges, exacerbated by the pressures on the cost of living, we are embarking on a system-wide transformation project, with a view to developing a single strategy for tackling poverty. The strategy will be informed by local data, evidence, and best practice on 'what works'. It will set out recommendations for how policies and services across the local system can be tailored to improve poverty outcomes. It will be the first strategy to consider the cumulative impact of work across the system.
This call for evidence seeks to gather insights from stakeholders to inform the development of a robust poverty response for Peterborough:
- Public bodies
- Voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations
- Academics
- Residents
Partnership work
Partnership working and co-production with individuals with lived experience will form a key part of the approach taken within the Poverty Transformation project. Using a collaborative approach, we will ensure that the work is firmly based on shared ideas and goals from organisations across Peterborough, strengthening a joint commitment to tackling poverty in the city.
Key themes and areas of focus
1. Poverty and health inequalities
Evidence suggests that poverty exacerbates:
- Chronic conditions: Higher rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses
- Mental health challenges: Anxiety, depression, and stress linked to financial insecurity
- Access to care: Economic barriers often prevent timely healthcare access
We would value evidence in the following areas:
- Practitioner insights into how poverty impacts health outcomes in Peterborough
- Case studies highlighting the lived experiences of individuals and families
- Evaluations of programs that address health inequalities caused by poverty
2. Child and family poverty
Child poverty is a significant concern within the city, particularly in areas of high deprivation. Evidence from 2020 suggested that more than a third of all children in Peterborough are in poverty. Poverty has an impact on education and development, giving rise to poor nutrition, inadequate housing, and limited access to learning resources. Furthermore, economic disadvantage can lead to increased risk of, or vulnerability to, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
We would value evidence in the following areas:
- Practitioner examples of children in poverty in Peterborough and the effect poverty has on health or education
- Successful interventions for supporting children in low-income families
3. Employment, housing and health
- Unemployment and low-paid work: Links to food insecurity and health inequalities
- Housing: Overcrowding, damp conditions, and homelessness contribute to respiratory illnesses, stress, and poor mental health
We would value evidence in the following areas:
- Local data and insights on the prevalence of poor housing conditions and its health impacts
- Analysis of the relationship between employment and health outcomes in Peterborough
4. Cost of living crisis
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Rising costs for essentials like energy, housing, and food are pushing more households into poverty. This includes:
- Fuel poverty: Increasing cases of cold-related illnesses
- Furniture poverty: Lack of essential household furniture items
- Food insecurity: Higher demand for food banks and its implications for nutrition and health
We would value evidence in the following areas:
- Current trends in fuel poverty and food insecurity in Peterborough
- Initiatives addressing the health impacts of the cost-of-living crisis
5. Community-led solutions
The voluntary, community and faith-based sector (VCFS) plays a vital role in addressing poverty’s impacts through grassroots initiatives, support services, and advocacy.
We would value evidence in the following areas:
- Examples of community programs that mitigate poverty and improve health
- Insights into partnerships between public health bodies and the VCFS
How to submit evidence
We invite evidence from:
- Data and research reports
- Case studies and testimonials
- Recommendations for policy or programmatic responses
Submission guidelines
- Include specific data or examples where possible, with dates
- Clearly indicate the source of the evidence provided
- Email submissions to [email address] by [deadline date]
Complete the online form
If you would like to share your experience or submit evidence, please use the form below.
Timeline
- December 2024 – Official launch and start of evidence gathering
- December 2024 – January 2025 – Continued evidence gathering
- February 2025 – Developing recommendations
- March 2025 – Publishing initial recommendations
- April - May 2025 - Further evidence gathering and refining recommendations
- June 2025 - Publishing final recommendations and concluding the Commission
Next steps
The evidence collected will inform a comprehensive strategy to address poverty in Peterborough through targeted public health interventions, partnerships, and policy recommendations. A summary report will be shared with stakeholders to drive collective action.
Get in touch
We encourage you to get involved. Whether you have questions, suggestions, or evidence to share, please contact us at poverty@peterborough.gov.uk.