As a kid growing up, to say we didn't have much money would be an understatement. Me and my Mum lived in a one bedroom council flat with a toilet in the back yard in a less than salubrious (read very rough!) part of Gateshead until my Dad came out of the Navy when I was 4.

When I was 5, my sister came along and we were fortunate enough to be moved to a brand new house on a brand new council estate in a much nicer area, but clearly not every family is as fortunate as we were. 

Having recently led a half-day leadership immersion at Family Gateway, it struck me that making the break from inter-generational poverty depends on one of two things (preferably both);

1. A bit of luck

2. Having an influential person in your life who has broken free of poverty themselves to point you in the right direction. 

Family Gateway is an award-winning child poverty charity at the forefront of improving life chances for children and families through the development of community-led solutions.Their programmes help families through cancer, poverty, children going into care, school issues and much, much more. Please give generously and for more information about Family Gateway and the amazing work they do, please visit their website;  https://www.familygateway.co.uk/