St Helens has much to be proud of – from its coal mining and glass-making history to its hugely successful rugby league team and some of the leading darts players in the world.
But the town also has its challenges – and was recently named the 26th most deprived area in England, according to the Centre for Social Justice’s recent Two Nations report. The report stated that since COVID there has been a growing gap between those that are getting by and those stuck at the bottom.
We spoke to people in St Helens to get their view on what needs to change to make the most of the town's potential, and to provide a bright future for the next generation.
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Founder and director of People in Power charity, Phil Glover, has worked with those in St Helens who suffer most from hardship. He said: "I’ve seen the haves and have nots that the kids live with and I knew I wanted to help, as especially in the area I grew up where there are postcodes in the bottom 1% of the country.”
Phil nodded to the report’s statement that St Helens is “struggling” as he recalled one of the most eye-opening experiences he had when working with a primary school in the town.
He said: “I asked them what they wanted to be when they grew up – only two had an answer. To sit with 10-year olds who don’t have any goals is heartbreaking."
People in Power’s aim is to inspire children to find ambition and drive to do something positive. They also work with food banks, women's refuges and sports club to lend a hand where they can.
The pots of funding they receive are few and far between, working with the police and schools on occasion to gain extra financial help, but more is needed. The small team have been doing a lot of voluntary work because some institutions can’t pay, but they are still required.
Phil said: "The only way to break the cycle is to invest in the younger people, help them to reach a positive mindset- that is the only way."
He said some people born in the area didn’t realise how tough they have it until they leave and they realise the other opportunities other areas in the country have access to.
He added: “We need people to see that there is help on to the ladder but we also have to acknowledge the fact that the rungs are much further apart on our ladder than the one hanging in other places.”
In response to this publication of the report, David Baines, leader of St Helens Council said: “The current cost of living crisis has exposed the health and economic inequalities which exist in our borough.
“Years of underinvestment in public services and a decade of lost growth in the national economy have created a perfect storm for communities like ours."
He added: “Locally, we're working hard to tackle these challenges head on.
“We're working hard across the council and with partners to deliver the economic investment, jobs, homes and training opportunities our residents, employers and future generations need."
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