Spot the difference - Andy Turner spends time catching his breath as he meets with humans on the ground and in the poverty...
Listen to a bunch of activists discussing big issues in their community and more often than not the same general concerns will usually crop up. So, over the last few weeks it's been startling to hear clear contrasts voiced between those working in the north (in Newcastle and Wakefield Anglican church diocese), and those down south (across South London, Kent and West Sussex, in Southwark diocese).
For the clergy, church leaders, community and youth workers meeting in Newcastle there was a sense of urgency tapered by exhaustion.
- “We’ve families with children growing up and parents not identifying any work, or opportunities…
- “You do demeaning tasks, with no contract, it’s £6.50 an hour…”
- “The erosion of industry and the impact of long-term unemployment is unrelenting.”
