[UK] Poverty guide's crucial benefit

from Herts Essex News

THE fight against poverty in Harlow took another determined stride on Friday with the publication of an updated guide to services for those hoping to ease their financial problems.

Harlow Partnership Against Poverty unveiled the third edition of its guide Where to find ..., which is designed to help residents on low incomes and those organisations assisting them to access information, advice and support.

Opportunities in education, training and employment are also outlined in the 160-page book.

Partnership chairwoman Jackie Sully said: "I am delighted that the Legal Services Commission funding has provided an opportunity to update this invaluable source of information.

"The decision to include it on Harlow Council's website will ensure the information is available to a wide audience."

Mrs Sully also paid tribute to colleague Johanna Verrells, who put 300 hours into researching information for the guide.

The revised guide is the final part of Harlow Welfare Rights and Advice's Open Door project, which has been working to improve access to advice.

The first edition was produced in 2000 and the second in April 2003.

Harlow MP Bill Rammell attended the launch at the Civic Centre and said: "Fighting poverty remains one of the key priorities, both for me as a constituency MP and the Government as a whole.

"I know the difference Government measures such as the New Deal and the minimum wage have made because I see and hear about it when I have contact with my constituents at my coffee mornings or advice surgeries.

"However, poverty can't be tackled by the Government alone; it requires partnership working in each community and that's why HPAP is so important and why it has such a crucial role in the town.

"Access to information and advice is a basic tool in the battle against poverty."

The guide is free to relevant organisations and is available online at www.harlow.gov.uk/content-685 .

Those people without access to the internet can obtain a copy of the guide from Harlow libraries, Harlow Advice Centre and the Young People's Information Centre.