Poverty issues since 1930s and hit hard by cutbacks

The Woodside area of the city that I represent has faced a number of challenges that may explain the lower life expectancy.

Poverty and shorter life expectancy go handin-hand for a number of reasons. When you don’t have enough money you can struggle to buy and cook nutritious food, or to heat your home properly, or take part in sports and other social activities. This inevitably takes a toll on people’s physical and mental health. The area has always had issues with poverty, with the Fersands and Printfield estates being built in the 1930s to address housing issues back then.

More recently, the area has been hit hard by the UK Government’s welfare cuts with the young, the disabled and the working poor bearing the brunt. It’s contributed to a situation where many of these folk live in fuel poverty despite living in the en- ergy capital of Europe. But there is work being done to address this. The Scottish Government has been able to mitigate some of the welfare reforms and charities like Instant Neighbour have helped support families who are struggling to get by.

There is also a great community spirit in Woodside, evidenced by the newly-formed Woodside Community Council and the great work done by the Fersands and Printfield projects. Woodside needs and deserves support to continue the good work already being done.

Woodside Fountain, Aberdeen

The food bank at Poynernook Road