SDG 1: No Poverty

Our research

Bristol Poverty Institute and partners in the Global Coalition to End Child Poverty co-authored two briefing papers in 2022/23, exploring the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis on children in poverty, and the inclusion of child poverty in voluntary national reviews of progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. Researchers from the Institute also co-hosted an event at the UN General Assembly Science Summit in September 2023, sharing tools for analysing poverty, climate and environmental change with delegates from across the world.

The Living Financial Resilience participatory research project ran in 2022/23. Funded by Bristol’s Brigstow Institute, it brought together researchers from across the university with community partners to understand the lived experience of residents of the Lawrence Hill area of the city, and to work with them to co-design services that would support and empower them in their journey towards financial resilience.

Our students

The Bristol Runway Awards are an annual competition for students and recent graduates who need funding to grow or develop early-stage businesses. In 2021/22, £50,000 in funding was awarded for ideas with potential to make a positive difference in the local community and beyond, with 2022/23’s round seeing the funding increase to £75,000. The Awards, which started in 2020, are funded through donations from University alumni and friends.

As well as the funding provided through the Awards, the Runway Programme is available to all students and graduates. The Programme offers vital support for start-up businesses, including mentoring and business plan development advice from Bristol’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and our experienced Entrepreneurs in Residence.

Our communities

Bristol Poverty Institute runs a range of events for academics, practitioners and the local community, sharing the latest evidence, offering opportunities for discussion, and learning about the causes of poverty and ways to tackle it. Sessions in 2022/23 looked at issues including disability, health, housing, wages and work, child poverty, and the measurement of poverty.

Following community interest in our volunteering schemes, staff from the University’s Finance Services division set up a pilot to help advise voluntary sector organisations and small businesses on professional finance skills. An initiative was established with the Malcolm X Community Centre, based in inner city Bristol and serving a racially diverse, intergenerational community. Staff members from Finance met with the Centre throughout the year to advise on areas including cost management, procurement and contract advice, and room bookings.

Ourselves

Progress has been made on increasing the proportion of our students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, but there is still work to be done. We have allocated almost £8 million per year for low-income student bursaries, and offer a Digital Support Fund for low-income students who need help to buy or repair IT equipment. Students can also get specialist one-to-one support from our Money Advisers, and cash payments or food vouchers for those in need.

Staff with financial challenges are also supported. Through our adoption of the Real Living Wage, staff salaries are aligned to recognise the cost of living. Staff can also access financial benefits and discounts such as childcare vouchers and a bicycle purchase scheme, and those who need extra help can access financial wellbeing courses, our Employee Assistance Programme, and one to one financial advice sessions with external experts.