Speaking Out Against Poverty: Voices of children living in disadvantaged areas

Published

April 2009

In this report, disadvantaged children in Northern Ireland reveal how living in poverty impacts upon all aspects of their lives.

More than 100 young people, aged between six and 18, were interviewed as part of a ground-breaking research project carried out by Goretti Horgan from the University of Ulster on behalf of Save the Children.

It is the first time that young people’s views on what it is like to be poor in Northern Ireland have been officially recorded.

They talked about their own understanding of poverty, as well as how it affects parents, the extra costs involved with school that limit poorer children's participation, and the impact of poverty on the children of migrant workers. 

They were also asked what they thought the government should do about poverty.

Many disclosed that they were well aware their families could not afford most of the things that other children took for granted.

This awareness affected all aspects of their lives - at home, at school and even at play.

Download Speaking Out Against Poverty: Voices of children living in disadvantaged areas (PDF 900KB)

Related reading

• Why Money Matters: Family income, poverty and children's lives
• Taking a Closer Look: Child poverty and disability
• Policy Brief: G20, 2009
• A 2020 Vision: Ending child poverty in Northern Ireland