The annual campaign helps raise awareness of the support available to local residents and to help tackle the stigma of poverty.

Organised by The Poverty Alliance, this year each day of Challenge Poverty Week has focused on a different theme.

Council Leader and Chair of the Community Planning Partnership, Joe Fagan, said: “Challenge Poverty Week ends on Sunday, but that doesn’t mean we stop the excellent work already underway to help as many people as possible across South Lanarkshire.

“We recently announced a number of measures to help those most affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

“During this week, we have also been focusing our efforts on letting people know the support available.

“One of the events was our Community Networking Event – an opportunity for local organisations to highlight the vital work they are carrying out in terms of tackling poverty and inequality.

“Community groups were offered the chance to come along and meet these organisations and find out about the support, current grants and advice surrounding the current cost of living crisis.

“Partners, ranging from NHS Lanarkshire to South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture, held stalls with information and had many engaging and worthwhile conversations with our communities.”

The event was part of the Financial Inclusion Network and was open to a host of organisations across public, third and voluntary sectors – over 30 groups participated by sharing their work and building new relationships with many community groups.

If you are looking for further support from one of these partner organisations, contact details for each can be found in the Money is Not the Only Problem section on the council website.