Sarah Zins who volunteers for the Citizens Advice Bureau gave a sobering talk about the hidden needs of people living in Suffolk and of rural poverty but countered this issue with an enthusiasm for the Suffolk organisations that try to mitigate disadvantage and a call for us to consider volunteering. We can, living in an area of outstanding natural beauty, easily assume that poverty is not an issue BUT the surrounding affluence conceals deprivation. She took, as her starting point, a recent report by the University of Suffolk for the Suffolk Community Foundation, a “super-charity” which channels local philanthropy to local issues. Suffolk’s deprivation levels have continued to rise since a previous   report in 2011 – only 3 other local authorities have levels that have worsened more than Suffolk over last 6 years.

• Large numbers of people live at the most minimal standard provided by welfare benefits: 12% of the county’s population – a total of 83,000 people which includes 20,00 children and 23,000 older people.
• The increase in the ageing population is coupled with a low birth rate. And while 30% of all income deprived in Suffolk are older people this rises to 39% in rural areas.
• Only 33% of children eligible for free school meals attained five good GCSEs, compared with 70% of pupils overall in England.
• Broadband and mobile phone coverage are poor in 50% of rural parishes and unavailable in 8%.

Sarah unpicked for us some of the causes of income deprivation in Suffolk where 40% of the population live in a rural setting compared to less than 20% of the population of England and Wales. One major cause is that rural households are exposed to additional challenges including transport (availability and cost), higher domestic fuel costs, access to essential services, educational choices and employment opportunities. Income levels remain below regional and national averages – fewer people work in managerial and professional jobs and the combination of low pay and limited opportunity for career progression fuels sustained in-work poverty and can represent an obstacle for social mobility. A further barrier to better jobs is education: attainment in Suffolk has been very poor but is improving. Locally, Alde Valley Academy in Leiston and Saxmundham Free School were in the worst 5 schools in the county in 2015. At Alde Valley, 35% of children got 5 GCSEs (including maths & English) Grades A* to C. Many schools have difficulty in recruiting teachers.

We discussed the reduced budget now available to local councils and the growing population of older people with care needs – who councils are having great difficulty in supporting. Because of such changes, there is a greater need for charitable intervention. We also discussed the issue of debt, which often brings people to the Citizens Advice Bureau where Sarah volunteers. Sarah outlined what is being done to mitigate deprivation by organisations and in particular voluntary bodies in our local area:

• Citizens Advice Bureaux – benefits, housing, debt, relationship breakdown
• Seckford Foundation
• Snape Maltings – children’s music-making; prison work; dementia work
• Homestart
• Saxmundham Community Café
• Guides/Scouts/Sea cadets
• The CYDS Project – Young People taking Action
• Just 42 (focuses on young people)
• Framlingham Area Youth Action Partnership
• Wheels to work
• Coastal Accessible Transport Service (CATS)
• The Rural Coffee Caravan
• Disability Advice Service
• Warden’s Charitable Trust
• Anglia Care Trust

One organisation, Community Action Suffolk, has the specific remit to strengthen and champion community action in Suffolk by supporting the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in its work. If anyone is interested in volunteering, they should contact Sarah or this organisation.

The 2016 report can be found here: http://suffolkcf.org.uk/2016/09/launch-of-hidden-needs-2016/

Both the 2016 and 2011 reports are also available directly from the Suffolk Community Foundation website if the link above does not work. A list of the organisations just in the Suffolk Coastal area to which the Suffolk Community Foundation has given grants over the last 3 years is also attached.  (Summary: Jane Maxim)