Tenants of ng homes have recently completed the Getting Ahead programme with Scottish charity Bridges out of Poverty which helps people in Glasgow move out of poverty and lead change in their communities.

Earlier this year staff from ng homes also received the training and took part in a workshop that offered a unique understanding of economic diversity that gives individuals, families, and communities new ways of solving problems.

Following on from the work with staff, Bridges out of Poverty delivered a nine-week Getting Ahead programme to a group of ng homes tenants at the Ron Davey Enterprise Centre in Vulcan St, Springburn.

All of the participants on the course have benefitted greatly from taking part including young mum Courtney Brown from Springburn who said: “Getting Ahead makes you feel wanted and that your opinions are needed. You feel part of something and not just isolated in a bubble. Being part of Getting Ahead makes me feel more than just a mum.”

The charity deliver training to organisations that work with people in poverty to help them understand the definition and impact of poverty, and they also facilitate their Getting Ahead programme with people in poverty, facilitating their understanding of the resources needed to transition out of poverty.

Bridges out of Poverty’s hope is that in the not too-distant future poverty will no longer be viewed as economically inevitable. Their vision is to create communities where every person can develop their own future story and be actively engaged in making it a reality.

Amreeta Kaur, executive director of Bridges out of Poverty, said: “It is fantastic to be working with ng homes’ tenants on our Getting Ahead programme. We have heard so many incredible stories and we look forward to delivering further training to more tenants. We are extremely passionate about the work that we are doing and we truly believe that bringing people together across class lines creates energy for change. Once people form relationships of mutual respect, they are much less likely to abandon each other.”

Their work deals with the causes of poverty by transforming people’s lives as well as tackling issues of human exploitation, the absence of human and social capital and the current political and economic structures.

CEO of ng homes Robert Tamburrini said: “It is fantastic for our staff and tenants to have the opportunity to learn more about the Bridges model and to hear first-hand stories from people who have been personally affected by poverty and who are doing something positive about it, ably assisted by Bridges out of Poverty – it was both powerful and moving. It’s a really challenging subject and we have committed to a further Getting Ahead programme for our tenants as we continue to work with Bridges out of Poverty to make a positive difference in our community.”

Chairperson of ng homes John Fury, who also took part in the programme earlier this year, added: “We see people affected by poverty in our community every day and by working with Bridges out of Poverty we can develop new approaches to tackle the issue.”