UNISONBarnardos joins thousands on March to End Child Poverty

Barnardos UNISON Branch joined thousands of other marchers on Saturday to demand that Gordon Brown Keep the Promise to end Child Poverty.

For many it was a reminder of their days in the 1980's (and for some the 1970's) of protesting along this well worn route . There were even a few chants of "Out Thatcher Out" for old time's sake!

But for many others, including the many children and young people, it was their first time at a demonstration like this. And hopefully it won't be their last!

Our new UNISONBarnardos banner attracted a lot of attention, not least for its size (a full two metre square) which in the near strengthening winds was a major challenge! We were in great danger of looking like a 21st Century Mary Poppins as we nearly hang glided our way down Whitehall towards Trafalgar Square.

Our thanks go to Branch Committee members Caroline Bossom and Anne Richardson (and family) for keeping the banner upright and to all those members and non-members ( specially Alayne B!) who came up to say hallo and lend a hand. Thankfully, the celebrated ponchos were not needed as the rain held off until we were on the way home. So we save them for another rainy day

But our special thanks go to Jackie Guy, who does not even work for Barnardos but is a friend and supporter of both Barnardos and UNISON! It was her first time at a demonstration and only her second time ever in London (and on her first time she only saw London from the tube!)

We interviewed Jackie on our journey home to the Black Country

I heard it from Bob who is a friend of mine in West Bromwich and I was curious to see what happens on a march as I had never been on one before? I also see the effects of child poverty on the estate where I live and the school were I work so felt it was important to be there if I had the opportunity

I work as a Learning Support Assistant in a primary school in West Bromwich.

What are your stand out memories of the march?

The drummers! We saw them after the march and in Trafalgar Square and you can watch them on the BBC website as they led the march.

The amount of people there was amazing. It was a very friendly march, everyone in good spirits and it did not matter that I did not know any of them as everyone was so friendly! They made a huge amount of noise and it was clear that Barnardos had the biggest turn out of all the voluntary organisations

It was unreal walking past places I had only seen on the television before like the Houses of Parliament, the Cenotaph, Downing Street, New Scotland Yard, Horse Guards Parade and Trafalgar Square.

How do you see child poverty at your school?

Some of the kids don't get onto school trips because parents cannot afford them (although we do try to arrange for people to pay off in instalments) or they wear clothes that have seen better days (so we keep a supply of clothes, underwear, sweatshirts etc for when kids grow out of school uniform ). Many get free school meals.

It's the first time you have been on a demonstration, has it changed your mind about "protesting"?

Yes, you always think there is going to be trouble at these sort of events but it was not like that at all. It was very friendly and a great sense of togetherness.

Do you think it will make a difference?

You would hope that it will make a difference with the numbers attending and the TV coverage that it got. The fact that it was ordinary people with their families and children was impressive.

Any regrets about going?

My only regret is that I lost almost all the photos I took on the march because I pressed the wrong button and deleted them all! The only one I have left is of Nelson's Column, but without Nelson on top! So if anyone has photos of the UNISON Barnardos banner and the brave souls trying to hang on to it in the wind can you email them to unison@barnardos.org.uk.  

My friends in West Bromwich will not believe that after all these years I have become a political activist and demonstrator so I need the proof that I was there!