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Cash First Communities in South West England

Explore resources linked to the Cash First Communities South West webinar held by IFAN and Trussell during Challenge Poverty Week 2024​

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#CashFirstCommunities

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About the conference

Following successful joint conferences in Scotland, A Cash First Future and Cash First Communities, IFAN and Trussell ran an online conference showcasing cash first or income-focused practices to poverty and food insecurity in the South West of England.

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The two-hour session provided an overview of cash first approaches taken in various local authority areas across the South West as well as the groundbreaking work in Scotland, the Scottish Government's plan Cash-First: Towards ending the need for food banks in Scotland.

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You can watch back a recording of the conference and access its resources below.

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Following this conference, IFAN and Trussell are continuing to work with partners across the south west to promote the adoption of a cash first pledge by local authorities:

  • distributing local crisis support/local welfare scheme at least in part via direct cash payments to people seeking support;

  • distributing their allocation of Household Support Fund funding at least in part via direct cash payments; 

  • demonstrating understanding and prioritisation of a cash first approach across all departments; 

  • committed to delivering training or co-delivering training on prioritising cash first responses within local authority teams;

  • and promoting ‘Worrying About Money?’ resources for their area with their local interactive version linked or embedded on their local authority website. 

 

Following their collaboration with Transformation Cornwall, Trussell, and IFAN to promote a cash first approach to food insecurity in the county, Cornwall Council committed to the cash first pledge in early 2025. 

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What is cash first?

A cash first approach to food insecurity would mean everyone in our society is able to access adequate, timely and accessible social security payments and fair wages that match the cost of living. A well-functioning social security system is built on the availability of easily accessible and well-promoted crisis support via cash payments in every UK local authority. 

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Taking a cash first approach to food insecurity at a local level means prioritising income-focused crisis support by means of cash payments, or vouchers if cash payments aren't available, and advice and support to maximise income. 

Presentations

1. Building local cash first momentum

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Abby Preston (IFAN) and Mark Richardson (Exeter Food Bank)

2. Learning and best practice from Scotland

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David Brownlee (Trussell) and Chris Mantle (Edinburgh Community Food)

3. Embedding cash first practice at a local level

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Beatrice Orchard (Trussell) and Penny Rimmer (Resolve)

5. Destitution, dignity and driving forward change

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Tanya Gersiova (Citizens Advice Scotland)

6. Taking a pragmatic approach to the provision of white goods

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Claire Donovan (End Furniture Poverty)

7. Finding ways to improve availability and access to financial support

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Sam Williams (Transformation Cornwall)

4. Income maximisation in the context of food insecurity

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Milly Carmichael (Bath and North East Somerset Council)

Please note - Resources on this page cannot be replicated without permission. Please contact admin@foodaidnetwork.org.uk.

Feedback:

If you have any feedback  or questions regarding the Cash First Communities South West England webinar, do get in touch with the organising team via admin@foodaidnetwork.org.uk.​

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