Universal Credit – a poem
Our Empowerment Programme Officer Ben Pearson wrote this poem as part of a workshop run by Church Action on Poverty's poet in digital residence Matt Sowerby.
Universal credit,
You prepare me for work.
You motivate me,
Mend me.
You are,
Not a joke.
Universal credit,
You joke with me.
You mock me,
Break me.
You are,
Laughing at me.
During the pandemic, Matt Sowerby is Church Action on Poverty’s poet in digital residence. He is helping our partners and supporters to respond creatively to the virus and lockdown, with weekly online workshops.

Food Power Empowerment Programme Officer
We’re listening!
Read some findings from our 2024 survey and in-depth conversations with partners and supporters.
Briefing: New Government data further undermines its cuts to UK’s vital lifelines
The Government’s own statistics show that disabled people are already three times as likely to be living in food insecurity Church Action on Poverty briefing …
The church must be at the heart of the mishmash of local life
What are the challenges and opportunities in your neighbourhood? And where does your church fit in? Those are two of the questions that people at …
Volunteers needed!
Could you help us reach out to supporters and churches for the next Church Action on Poverty Sunday?
Urgent: Ask your church to display this poster on Sunday
Churchgoers are urged to speak up against the Government’s harmful and immoral cuts to vital lifelines. Please, join the calls. The Government is proposing to …
The town of 250,000 that revolutionised its food system
The town of Reading, in Berkshire, has revolutionised its community food work in the past two years. Faith Christian Group has opened eight Your Local Pantries …
We’re listening!
Read some findings from our 2024 survey and in-depth conversations with partners and supporters.
Briefing: New Government data further undermines its cuts to UK’s vital lifelines
The Government’s own statistics show that disabled people are already three times as likely to be living in food insecurity …
The church must be at the heart of the mishmash of local life
What are the challenges and opportunities in your neighbourhood? And where does your church fit in? Those are two of …