And of course, in recent years we’ve had the cost of living crisis, making it harder for people to give their time and resources, although some financial support is available to foster carers.
It seems that in the 2020s, many people are just focusing on keeping their heads above water, financially and otherwise. But hardship can’t be the only answer to why there’s a crisis, because this country has faced hardship before and reacted more generously towards children. Just look at the evacuations from the Blitz in World War II, when around 800,000 children were taken into homes in the countryside, in the most difficult circumstances.
Thomas Barnardo founded Barnardo’s in 1867 after a cholera epidemic left many children orphaned. He helped pioneer fostering, convinced that children who could no longer live with their birth families would benefit from growing up in an alternative supportive family home.
Fostering might sound overwhelming these days. We know so much more about trauma, have so many more different names for the things children go through. But the issues are still the same as they have ever been; poverty, neglect, abuse. We just have different words for it.
And greater understanding means greater support and training; something Barnardo’s is committed to providing in spades for those who foster with us.
When adults take that leap of faith and open their homes and hearts, we can come together and be that difference in a child’s life.
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Brenda Farrell, Director of Fostering and Adoption at Barnardo’s
Find out more about Barnardo’s and how you could help support children, young people and families
Token gesture
The mayor remembers the embarrassment of queuing for lunch tokens at school. In Hackney I was hauled in front of the class every morning for free orange juice and malt, in the late ’40s.
By the time I was a governor of three Islington primary schools in the late ’60s, the head teacher proudly explained his complicated but unbeatable system that protected children on free meals from ever being found out. I wish Mayor Khan at least another 10 years in office.
Adele Winston, Barnet
Water shame
Steven MacKenzie is, of course, correct that Scarborough is a delight to visit. It’s unfortunate that we are advised to only stay beside the sea rather than bathe in it because the water quality is described as “poor” due to sewage pollution. It really is time this was sorted out.
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Clive Tiney, York
A matter of trust
I was disappointed by Arron Martin’s piece in issue 1720, and the statement: “Overwhelming majorities in almost every country trust institutions such as universities, the police, the courts, and the armed forces”. That may be true of Australia where Martin is based but not the UK.
Trust in the police and courts has fallen in the UK over the past four years. Various studies show that systemic problems in the 48 police forces in the UK have led to the reduction in trust of policing in the UK. A survey in October 2024 found that 52% of adults in the UK had little or no confidence in the police’s ability to tackle local crime. Public confidence in policing is the lowest it’s ever been. Policing needs public confidence to function.
Jon Prosser
Read more:
Roger McGough
Before setting off to launch the Poet in Every Port tour in Great Yarmouth, Roger McGough took time to pose for a picture with the recent issue he featured in.
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Here’s what readers had to say about the interview
Remember seeing Roger at Newcastle University reading some of his poetry. Must have been about 1972/73. He was brilliant. Never forgot it.
Hilary Walker Wilson, Facebook
“I used to scintillate, now I sin ’til ten past three.” One of my McGough favourites.
Anthony Quinn, Facebook
Glad to see he is still doing his thing. I remember him from the Everyman in Liverpool many more years ago than I care to remember. Good on you Roger, you are the best.
Stella Byrne, Facebook
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
His The Misanthrope was fantastic. It was part of Liverpool’s Capital of Culture and I have never forgotten it. What a talent. The UK should be very proud.
Kathryn Wroblewski, Facebook
Great that you do such good pieces on people like Roger.
Hugh Thomson, Facebook
Was lucky enough to be mentored by Roger at Loughborough Uni back in the day. He’s been a really positive influence on my work ever since.
Simon Williams, Facebook
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Love Roger McGough! His poetry was my go-to reading in the ’70s when I was young. I still have some of his books that have come with me no matter where I travelled to. “Let me die a young man’s death” has always been my anthem.
Lorraine Schneiter, Facebook
Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more.
Change a vendor’s life.
Buy from your local Big Issue vendor every week – and always take the magazine. It’s how vendors earn with dignity and move forward.
You can also support online:
Subscribe to the magazine or support our work with a monthly gift. Your support helps vendors earn, learn and thrive while strengthening our frontline services.
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Thank you for standing with Big Issue vendors.
