In a year when our economy is supposed to be growing, poverty in the UK has rarely been out of the headlines. Many people are still struggling to pay energy bills, buy food and maintain rent or mortgage payments. Official figures show a drop in unemployment, but with the jobs market fragmenting and zero hours contracts, real wages have been forced down.
The English Housing Survey shows a growing proportion of young people are being squeezed out of the housing market, and forced to rent privately. Meanwhile, the number of homeless people is rising.
Inequality also exists in health and nutrition. Millions of people are destined to die nine years earlier than they should and have their lives blighted by ill-health because of poverty. Across the UK, increasing numbers of people are relying on food banks to support their families.
Collaboration between the public sector and communities
Too often the positive role that communities and the public sector play in tackling these issues is ignored. Yet grassroots activism to tackle poverty and homelessness can be very effective. Our report found that half of people in the UK think it's important to be an active part of the local community. More than 22 million people already give money to local causes, and would do more if it were easier to connect to with them.
Every day, community foundations across the UK work with public bodies that invest in community-based work to tackle inequality, ranging from the police to local authorities. Our projects match philanthropic giving with limited public funds to reduce poverty, crime and homelessness. This doesn't require huge sums. It is collaboration that brings lasting change.
For example, police-funded projects that work with young people to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour will reduce the cost of antisocial behaviour to the police. Similarly, our work with food banks supports people out of poverty without relying on the state.
How to tackle inequality at a grassroots level
No one should be left to address inequality on their own. People working in the public sector to build community engagement have a critical role to play in tackling issues, but above all, preventing them from happening in the first place. And they will be more effective if they follow these tips:
• Speak with people on the frontline. Find out exactly where time and money is needed. Go to community events, talk and listen to understand the challenges.
• Be strategic. Community schemes are most effective if they work from the bottom up, connecting what already works.
• Focus on training and skills. Supporting people to develop their confidence, skills or knowledge is one of the best ways to help those struggling to find work.
• Learn from what has already worked. Don't try to reinvent the wheel; if there are existing projects and ideas out there that help address inequality, use them. Complement and grow existing work.
• Keep it local. Step back and listen. Use local knowledge to bring together voluntary and community groups.
Public managers have a vital role in tackling inequality across the UK. But it is only through working directly with communities that it's possible to deliver real social change.
Kate Stewart is partnerships director at the UK Community Foundations
This article is part of the Beveridge Revisited series from Guardian Society Professionals, revising Sir William Beveridge's five great social evils for the 21st century. Click here to find out what the evils are and read more from the Beveridge Revisited series.
