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York unites to highlight city poverty gaps

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Residents of a Lower Wesley Place, Hungate, in 1933. These slums have gone but poverty still exists in York. Photograph: York Library
Residents of a Lower Wesley Place, Hungate, in 1933. These slums have gone but poverty still exists in York. Photograph: York Library

How much poverty exists in York? Who is affected and why? What are the causes of poverty – and what can be done to improve the lives of our poorest residents?

These are some of the question to be considered tomorrow (Wednesday, April 24) during an unprecedented digital conference – and anyone can take part. Charities, researchers and other experts are taking part in the discussion on Twitter, as well as City of York Council representatives. York’s various media outlets – including The Press, BBC Radio York, One&Other and ourselves at YorkMix are all signed up.

Topics likely to be covered include housing, the Living Wage, getting back into work, inequality and the stigma of poverty.

Anyone can join in on Twitter using the hashtag #povertyforum.

More than 100 years since Benjamin Seebohm Rowntree published his pioneering report into poverty in York it remains a problem for our city and wider society. If Seebohm were alive today he would most likely be Tweeting with the best of them to raise awareness of this issue, and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation is one of many organisations taking part.

If you have any thoughts, ideas or experiences you would like to share, log on to Twitter on Wednesday, April 23 and add them to the #povertyforum.