Samira Ahmed and Katherine Rake bring together activists from two different generations united in their fight for decent social housing and an end to poverty in Britain.

In the summer of ’66 when most of the country was glued to the Football World Cup, Des Wilson toured our major cities. He found families packed into crumbling houses, rat infested hovels, and real poverty. Six months later he became one of the founders of Shelter and its first director.

A few years later, Ruth Lister had just finished her degree in sociology course at Essex University. She signed a one-year contract as a Legal Research Officer at the recently launched Child Poverty Action Group. She went on to become its Director.

Joe Walker was still at school and too young to vote in the Brexit referendum. Angered by the growing poverty he saw around him, he volunteered at a foodbank. He now manages that foodbank in Brighton and helps a group of charities provide vital services to families in need.

When Kwajo Tweneboa moved into his housing association flat, there were mouldy walls, broken windows and part of the ceiling was missing. It took 10 months to get it fixed. Now Kwajo has gone viral – filming the failings of social housing in modern Britain and posting on you tube.
In this programme the four activists share stories of their individual experiences fighting for change and consider what lessons they can learn from each other. Finally, they map out a plan of action for activists today.

Samira is joined by social change consultant Katherine Rake, former Chief Executive of The Fawcett Society.

Presenter: Samira Ahmed
Producer: Emily Williams
Programme consultant: Katherine Rake
Editor: David Prest
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 Show less