By Michele Janes - Director of Barnardo’s Northern Ireland
After nearly three years of crisis and stress, families in Northern Ireland were hoping that this Christmas would be a time to pause and spend quality moments with the people they love. Sadly, for many of our families, this Christmas brings with it further stress and worry as they are trying to manage the increasing costs of everyday essentials like food and heating, along with the extra cost of Christmas.
With temperatures dropping, and bills soaring, parents tell us they feel ashamed they cannot provide the life they want for their children, but that is not their shame to bear. Our families are working hard to survive, while our Assembly chamber lies empty.
In the past year, Barnardo’s supported over 18,000 children, young people and families across Northern Ireland. This year, Barnardo’s and other community and voluntary organisations have seen the need for support increasing. Families are not asking for the world, they ask for advice, a food voucher, or some toys for Christmas, and increasingly they’re asking for help to heat their homes.
Without a functioning Northern Ireland Assembly or government in place, many community and voluntary organisations are delivering essential support; it has fallen on charities to fill the gaps that government has left behind. More than two-thirds of our staff are supporting people in, or at risk of poverty and they tell us that parents are trying their best, but they’re crying out for help.
“I am worried about Christmas presents for my children as I am barely getting by as it is. I don’t want my children to be disappointed.”
“I’ve been keeping my lights off and walking around the house in the dark to try and save electricity.”
“I’m very aware of how much coal I use, as I know that I need to budget more for food. It is now a reality of heat or eat.”
Those are the words of three worried mums recently speaking with the Barnardo's Family Support Team. In homes across Northern Ireland, the heating will be off this Christmas. In others, they won’t turn on the Christmas tree lights, and for some, the lights will be off altogether.
Often, concerned parents and carers tell us about how their children have picked up on money worries and how they have responded with children asking, “Can we turn this light on?” “Is this too expensive?” It’s impossible to insulate children from the realities of the world they live in, no matter how hard parents may try. Many children are worried about their parents, and feel they need to do something to help. This is not the job of our children; this is the job of government.
In times of crisis, I’m always struck by the strength, resilience, and determination of parents and carers in challenging situations. They are determined to give their children a loving and joyful Christmas, despite the challenges they’re facing, and we are proud to work with them. We have a clear message: no child should live in poverty. No family should feel shame if they are struggling.
We want every child to thrive and achieve their full potential. In July, I said that this is only possible if our government takes action on poverty. Five months on and we have even less political leadership in Northern Ireland, with no Assembly, no Executive, and no Ministers.
We need a long-term, ambitious, Anti-Poverty Strategy which lifts children and families out of poverty.
We don’t need more words of support or concern. We need action.
Our children deserve better.