This module will draw from case-studies to assist students in considering a range of anti-poverty interventions These may include examples such as protesting, education and awareness raising, policy, strategy, research development work and commissioning of services that tackle inequalities to name of few. The determinants of health highlight that there are many factors such as housing, education, transport, employment, welfare and social capital that influence a person’s health and well-being and ultimately their life expectancy, with people who experience poverty having a lower life expectancy than those on higher incomes.



This module explores the multiple reasons for people experiencing poverty from structural inequalities and negative policy impacts upon individuals through to the less frequent reason of interpersonal factors. The module then goes on to explore different approaches and interventions to tackling poverty and advocating for change. Whilst there will be a focus on the UK, a global comparison will be outlined, with recognition of globalisation and the capitalist impacts upon poverty. This will help students understand the different between relative deprivation and absolute deprivation. Public sector and voluntary sector responses to poverty will be critically evaluated. Exploration of how charities operate to address issues of poverty both nationally and internationally will be explored via their own Initiatives and projects. Examples include initiatives by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Save the Children, Refugee Council, Trussell Trust Foodbanks and Citizen’s Advice Bureau although this is not an exhaustive list and not all of these will be covered. The examples are given simply to offer some context to the indicative content. This approach will help students gain a diverse understanding of ways of working to tackle poverty. Underpinning this will be an understanding of the national political picture in terms of the Poor Law, Beverage Report, Good Society, Levelling Up and Sustainability Development Goals.

Students will produce and deliver a 20 minute presentation testing all 4 learning outcomes. The presentation will be accompanied by written notes, which will further test learning outcomes 1 and 2 and should include a full reference list in the Harvard format.

A series of case-study examples of practice from grassroots delivery projects that tackle project, to policy and research development projects.

1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of established and prospective measures to address poverty

Knowledge and Understanding


2. Demonstrate a critical analysis of previous or proposed interventions in the field of poverty reduction

Analysis


3. Evidence and explain a creative intervention designed to resolve or mitigate the impact of poverty on a specific group, either nationally or internationally

Problem Solving


4. Verbally reflect on personal learning and how this may inform your future actions in relation to poverty reduction

Reflection

PC Access

Internet Access

Software Microsoft 360 (Free download for students)

Key Books:

Blyth, M (2015) Austerity: The History of a Dangerous Idea Oxford University Press

Brown, W (2019) In the Ruins of Neoliberalism: The Rise of Antidemocratic Politics in the West Columbia University Press

Goldstraw K, Diamond J (2017) Civil Society and a Good Society I4P Webb Memorial Trust

Gordon, D (2018) The Extent of Poverty in the UK Lecture Bristol November 2018

Graeber, D (2011) Debt: The First 5,000 Years, Melville House Publishing

Knight B (2017) Rethinking Poverty: What Makes a Good Society? Bristol Policy Press

Lansley S (2022) The Richer, The Poorer: How Britain Enriched the Few and Failed the Poor Bristol, Policy Press

Lund B (2017) Understanding Housing Policy Bristol Policy Press

Page, S., Coates, M., Goldstraw, K., Tipping, J & Frangos, J. (2023) Action on Poverty in the UK. Palgrave.


Additional recommended reading will be provided in the VLE relevant to the key themes under examination.

Now you know more about the causes and drivers of poverty, you’re all fired up and ready take some action, right? Well, there’s a bit more to it than full steam ahead! In this module you learn through case studies of interventions and actions others have already taken to address poverty and you will analyse and evaluate the impact these interventions had. Did they work? How do we know? What, if anything, could have been done differently? The module will also offer insights into globalisation and the UN Sustainability Goals to assess what impact, positive or negative, these may be having on attempts to mitigate and ultimately eradicate poverty.