Families across the North East are set to benefit from a significant expansion of a flagship child poverty initiative, after more than £2.6 million was secured from The National Lottery Community Fund.
The funding will scale up a programme championed by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness that provides financial and benefits advice directly within communities and schools. With demand rising across the region, the enhanced investment is expected to nearly double the number of families supported.
Since its launch, the programme has already delivered tangible financial gains, adding almost £2 million to the incomes of participating households. With fresh backing now in place, support will increase from 2,240 families to more than 4,000 through the North East Child Poverty Partnership.
Mayor Kim McGuinness said:
“I’m determined that growing up in the North East should never mean going without, which is why we’re taking real action to tackle child poverty here in our region.
“We’ve already seen huge success with this scheme and this extra National Lottery funding means we can set up support for parents in even more communities and schools. That will mean thousands more families can get the help they need, when they need it most. I want the North East to be the best place in the country to raise a family and this is another way we’re achieving that.”
Delivering Support at Community Level
The programme takes a place-based approach, embedding financial advice services where families are most likely to access support. Delivered through Citizens Advice services across Northumberland and Tyne & Wear, alongside Durham County Council’s Financial Inclusion Support team, advisers work with households on:
- Maximising benefit entitlements
- Accessing cost of living grants
- Debt management and financial resilience
- Wider income maximisation support
By positioning advisers in schools and community settings, the initiative aims to reduce barriers to access while improving early intervention outcomes.
Strategic Collaboration Driving Results
The latest funding award follows a collaborative regional bid led by Citizens Advice Newcastle, supported by a partnership brought together by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority. The joined-up approach has been key to unlocking additional investment and ensuring consistent provision across local authority boundaries.
For public sector leaders, the expansion signals a growing emphasis on preventative, integrated support models that combine local delivery with strategic oversight. It also highlights the role of cross-sector partnerships in attracting external funding to address systemic challenges such as child poverty.
Looking Ahead
With the cost of living continuing to impact vulnerable households, the increased scale of this programme is expected to play a crucial role in stabilising family finances across the North East. The focus on early advice and accessible support could also reduce longer-term pressures on public services, particularly in areas such as housing, health, and social care.
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