Times are tough, and getting tougher – what can be done?That’s the question at the heart of WCVA and the Bevan Foundation’s upcoming conference, ‘Hard times ahead: meeting the challenge of poverty in 21st century Wales’. At a time when people are having to make do with less, what of those in – or on the edge of – poverty?As Welsh Government launches its Tackling Poverty Plan, ‘Hard times ahead’ aims to gather ideas and stimulate debate on developing approaches to help others survive. Speakers include:
–  Victoria Winkler of the Bevan Foundation on ‘the poverty iceberg’ and the challenge to well-being in Wales
–  Julia Unwin of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on the challenges of deficit, demographics and degraded public discourse
–  Carl Sargeant AM, Minister for Local Government and Communities, on the Tackling Poverty plan  Workshops include:
–  Supporting individuals in poverty – Buttle UK and the Trussell Trust
–  Developing good money habits – CredCer and the Money Advice Service
–  Creating community assets – Glyncoch Community RegenerationDelegates will also be invited to take part in a World Café round table debate on sharing new poverty ideas, with tables hosted by representatives from Big Lottery Fund, Citizen’s Advice Cymru, Oxfam Cymru and more.You can view the full programme here, and then reserve your place using this booking form.This is your chance to really shape the debate on poverty in this country – don’t let it pass you by.