Poverty and women in the UK

[AwkwardMaryHadAnEasterLamb]

I'm saddened by the poverty figures in the UK at the moment. Of course, a large amount of those suffering are women...single parents and elderly women.

I would like to create a performance piece based on these women's experiences and I wondered if anyone here might be able to suggest some ways in which I may be able to reach out to those in need?

I thought of asking Shelter if they could advise...any advice or thoughts please?

[neepsntatties]

Are you looking for women to interview then? Maybe check out what groups you have locally? What sort of piece are you hoping to create?

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

My immediate thought is that you're stereotyping. It annoys me because I'm a single parent and I get fed up with the way that those two words have become shorthand for 'poor, vulnerable and problematic' because I'm none of those things. People who experience poverty are not some homogenous lump to be pitied and 'reached out to'. Many elderly women are quite comfortably off. Meet some people, look at their individual stories and recognise perhaps that poverty does not always mean 'suffering' and hopelessnes... it can also be a springboard for resourcefulness and initiative.

[AwkwardMaryHadAnEasterLamb]

I know all of that Cogito maybe I should have spelled that out? But statistically these are the groups....along with children...who are most likely to suffer. YOU'RE ok but then I'm not talking about you am I?

This is not about you getting annoyed by people trying to change things just because you share some of the factors in your life with people who are suffering.

I also can't believe you'd sit there and say "Poverty doesn't always mean suffering"... is that because you can eat hope then? Wear resourcefulness? Keep your kids warm with initiative? Poverty will ALWAYS mean suffering...some have the energy to get out of it...along with some luck...but that's a rare thing.

People ARE suffering and right now....there is a minority...and yes...,mainly single parent families, the elderly and the unemployed who are having a shitty, shitty time of it. I am not saying that men aren't of course...I know there are men who are having a bad time too...single men who are unemployed or with substance abuse problems are very neglected by society in general... but my purpose here is regarding women.

Neeps....I see what you're saying...bit obvious really and I should have thought about it! There is a group locally and I will ask them for their advice on this matter as it's delicate I know.

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

So it's going to be yet another bit of entertainment where women are cast as victims....?

[AwkwardMaryHadAnEasterLamb]

Cogito no. I don't usually do that when I write. I've written numerous pieces of drama and fiction which have been broadcast, published and performed and making women into victims for the purposes of entertainment isn't my style.