Dundee Fairness Leadership Panel Conference

The Cost of Living crisis and Dundee’s provision for people in need was the focus of a major conference in the city today (November 9).

We’re No’ Standin’ Still, at Discovery Point, was the second annual conference organised by the Dundee Fairness Leadership Panel.

It looked at both the local and national picture, with inputs from leading experts, as well as the work being undertaken to alleviate poverty and mitigate the impacts of the crisis in Dundee.

The event came as city partners launched a package of additional support for people struggling this winter.

Backed with £500,000 of funding from Dundee City Council, the support will again focus on four key areas – Open Doors provision of places to get a warm welcome; emergency food; clothing and blankets; and advice services.

Panel co-chair Councillor John Alexander said: “Today’s event was an important one which brought together front-line agencies and those who are suffering at the sharp end.

“When we met last year we agreed a vision for the help we wanted to provide, and a lot has been achieved as a result. We’ve given people places to go if they’re lonely or struggling with fuel costs, provided food and warm clothing, and maximised benefits running into hundreds of pounds per household.

“Unfortunately, we know that there are many people in our city who will be struggling again this winter. So it’s essential that we learn from the work undertaken so far and again focus on the best support we can provide as we head into winter.”

Expert speakers at today’s event included John McKendrick, Professor of Social Justice at Glasgow Caledonian University and co-director of The Scottish Poverty and

Inequality Research Unit, and Jim McCormick, chief executive of The Robertson Trust.

Delegates from the public sector, voluntary sector and communities were able to share information and exchange ideas. 

Panel co-chair Tony Gibson, who is a Trustee and founding member of Dundee Fighting for Fairness, said: “We should be proud of the way that our city has responded to help those most in need.

"Sadly, though, we go into winter again acutely aware that people are having to make difficult choices like whether to heat their homes or put food on the table. We exist to give those people a voice.

“Today was a great opportunity for the political leaders, statutory services, local communities, citizens and third sector organisations to make sure that everything possible is being done to protect the people of Dundee.

“If we all pull together, we can get through this winter and make longer-term changes for the better.” 

Support offered by city partners last year included the Winter Food programme, co-ordinated by the Community Food Network, which saw tens of thousands of pounds spent on a range of programmes from extra food bags over Christmas to vouchers for local shops, butchers and supermarkets.

Increased hot food provision, support for people needing essential toiletries and cleaning products, emergency discretionary funds and more was also put in place.

A network of organisations, co-ordinated by Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action, distributed £50,000-worth of warm clothing, pyjamas, blankets and other items across the city.

Meanwhile, it’s estimated that the Open Doors programme, which offers activities in warm and welcoming surroundings, was attended by over 1500 people every week during December 2022 alone.

And advice services helped households access financial support to help with their bills.

General advice on the cost of living crisis from the council and its partners is available here.

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