Name: Jamie Kessel

*Social Action Research

The client: PSE ‘Poverty and Social Exclusion’

Overview of the client. – ‘Reporting research, examining policy, stimulating debate’PSE is a non profit organisation aimed at raising awareness towards poverty via a multitude of different platforms, such as their web page, video blogs and awareness events etc. They often collaborate with other non-profit organisations in order to push to create a community aware of both poverty and social exclusion. It was founded in cooperation with the Economic and Social research council, in 2010 due to a lack of media coverage and awareness on the topic of poverty in the UK. The founders felt that something needed to be done to create a media platform in which different organisations could collaborate on different projects fighting poverty, and to give a voice for the victims. When you enter their website you’ll be greeted with an introduction to the company, with various tabs. One of these tabs leads you to the ‘definition of poverty’, giving an in depth explanation of not only what it is, but also why it occurs. They encourage people to take part in their cause, inviting people to participate, give feedback and share information. Not only this, but they provide multiple surveys targeted at both adults and children on ‘attitudes to necessities’ and various other topics. Everything they do is essentially trying to create publicity for a topic that many feel is left under the shadows by the mainstream media. Essentially, they are a British poverty awareness raising multimedia hub. They are funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, as part of their campaign against poverty and social exclusion In the UK, and all profits go directly back into the organisation in order to gain resources and publicity.

The issues: summary

My client campaigns on the issue of poverty and social exclusion in the UK, as mentioned in the previous slide. They do so not by directly raising money to go towards resources for those effected by poverty, but instead through a much more indirect but long-term approach. By aiming to actually change attitudes of the general public and educate those fortunate enough to not be directly effected by poverty, they aim to push this long term change.They have managed to grow expidenitially as an organisation since they were founded in 2010, and have since gained a much larger internet presence. This growth in internet presence has in turn allowed them to reach out to a much larger audience in order to benefit their cause. The more people who follow them, the more people share articles, video blogs, statistics and interviews which are promoted via their website.Their primary aim is to keep their momentum going as a company, in order to maintain growth and media presence, thus benefitting their cause.

The issues: example of an issue‘Talk is not enough’This is one of the many poverty related issued that PSE aims to raise awareness on via one of their journalist publishing an online article available on their website. This particular example is an article which highlights the fact that powerful political, commercial and financial figures are often not putting their money where their mouth is when it comes to the discussion on poverty.Basically, lots of people are now seemingly putting on a front in which they claim to be anti poverty and anti equality gap, but are yet to actually act on their beliefs. The article is primarily targeted as powerful and influential figures (as mentioned previously), such as politicians, corporate representatives and celebrities. Much of what the article outlines is the fact that companies such as the IMF (who have the most ability to actually make an economical impact) are presenting themselves has being anti-poverty, making statements such as ‘Excessive inequality is corrosive to growth; it is corrosive to society.’ The article then goes on to highlight the outstanding levels of hypocrisy, and shuns the levels of action being taken towards the prevention of poverty. This is one of many articles written by one of PSE’s young journalists aimed at targeting one of many poverty based issues. Other forms of campaigning include posters and videos all available from the website, and by analysing these campaigns and the issues raised I’ll not only become well informed on the topic of poverty, but also learn about the different conventions and campaign forms often adopted by them in order to guarantee a satisfied client.

Facts and figures:

National statistic on amount of children effected by poverty per classroom

Shocking data about the amount of Britain ‘in poverty’.

Source: The Guardian

Source: Child Poverty Action Group A quote from an

amateur blog, highlighting the ignorance of those more well off when it comes to British poverty.

Source: http://darrylsinger.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/time-to-stop-turning-blind-eye-to.html

Source: Salvation Army annual review 2014

Facts and figures on how the salvation have managed to help combat poverty throughout 2014 taken from their website. Although the statics are show a positive impact, they are heavily outweighed by the levels of people who haven’t been able to receive this kind of help

A very recent and relevant campaign hosted by EE, which highlights the need for publicity and exposure for poverty related issues in order to push for a decrease in poverty levels. On the right, they state that 193 world leaders have pledged 3 positive steps towards ending positivity.

Source: http://ee.co.uk/our-company/corporate-responsibility/tell-everyone