Frequently asked questions

What was Dare to Care: make time to help end child poverty?
Dare to Care: Make time to help end child poverty was a campaign which highlighted the extent of child poverty in England and offered practical advice and solutions to some of the problems.

We worked with partners who organised projects that involved both new and existing volunteers. We also gave free guidance and training to organisations to help them manage projects that help young people and we ran a small grants programme.

How much child poverty is there?
Alarmingly 3.8 million children live in poverty in the UK, many well below the poverty line. That’s one in three children. We have one of the worst rates of child poverty in the industrialised world.

So how can volunteering improve things? Don’t we just need to give more money to reduce poverty?
Poverty isn’t just about money, Dare to Care: Make time to help end child poverty was about reducing the poverty of experience that so many children suffer and offering opportunities to expand their horizons. They might not have access to books; might never have been on a school trip, or visited the seaside even if it is nearby and might not have safe access to a local park.

CSV’s own research has concluded that 40% of the population is concerned about dwindling support and guidance for young people growing up. Many people would love to help but don’t know how. By providing volunteering opportunities and guidance Dare to Care: Make time to help end child poverty showed people how to get involved in a practical and effective way.

Do you have any examples?
Yes, there are countless examples of volunteers improving the reading age of a child in a school, offering advice to families running a more fuel-efficient home, or providing a positive role model through mentoring.

Some examples include:

• E-Mentoring
  E-Mentoring is a time friendly way for volunteers to help secondary school pupils improve their literacy and computer skills. The volunteers help young people with their school work and through the email exchange boost their self-esteem and confidence.
• Volunteers in Child Protection
  This project works with Bromley and Sunderland councils to match carefully chosen, trained volunteers with families where the children are on the child protection register. Volunteers do things that a social worker doesn’t have the time to do. This can be anything from potty training and helping with homework to listening to the family and giving guidance on parenting.
• Growing Gains
  This project aims to change the eating habits of children in 20 schools across Birmingham by teaching them about the health benefits of fruit and vegetables. The children plant and grow vegetables at their school or at a local allotment and act as ‘health ambassadors’ to their parents and the local community. After eighteen weeks the pupils harvest their crops and create healthy meals from the food they have grown.

These projects are some of the many programmes organised by CSV.

How can I get involved?
Although the campaign has now finished, you can still make an impact on child poverty in your community. Contact End Child Poverty to find out how to get involved in campaigns, and volunteer your time with CSV Make a Difference Day. Just set up a project and we'll support you all the way.

Which organisations were also involved?
Dare to Care: Make time to help end child poverty was run in partnership with the Campaign to End Child Poverty.

We worked with CSV’s network of action desks in local BBC radio stations. They promoted the campaign and organised activities with many hundreds of local groups that they work with.

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If you would like more information on child poverty and the Campaign to End Child Poverty then email info@ecpc.org.uk  or visit www.endchildpoverty.org.uk.