ATD Fourth World

"It’s not easy to bring up children on a low income. Sometimes I feel guilty about not being able to afford essential things… I try my best but I wish things could be different.

I am frightened of going to Social Services. Poverty is when you need help, but you are too scared of being judged as an unfit mother to ask for it.

Asking for support shouldn't mean you are investigated, it shouldn't mean you lose your dignity.

We need to be around people who understand what it means to be in poverty, who work with the family and don't divide and rule us. We need people who have real respect for what we can do, not what we can't do – yet!"

Denise, family member.