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This article was written by Toniloba from Holland House School. They were inspired to write this post after taking part in their VotesforSchools discussion, asking people are more generous in times of need.

If you're an individual under 18 years of age and are interested in getting involved, head over to our Young Writers page to learn more.

The cost of living crisis bites...

by Toniloba from Holland House School

part of our Young Writers Collection

The run-up to Christmas. With the cost of living crisis bearing down on the country, it was a good time for us to look at charitable giving and ask our primary pupils, ‘Are people more generous in times of need?’

Although 72% of the 12,000 who voted thought, yes, people are more generous, Toniloba (a Year 5 pupil) was keen to express her views to the contrary: "Although people can be very generous," she says "people do not have enough to share in times of need. When times of need unexpectedly show up, people forget the less fortunate and care only for themselves and their families."

Meet the writer...

Toniloba from Holland House School writes for VotesforSchools

One of Toniloba’s peers agrees: ‘Sometimes you need to think of yourself before others when prices go up.’ Another was more optimistic, looking at the UK’s response to the Ukraine war, and that Ukrainians were being hosted by British families and thinks that awareness of issues from the news encourages people to want to help others. Although she agrees that awareness should help the issue, Toniloba is passionate about their point of view:

"Some people are left to starve or live on the streets, especially in the winter. During the winter, people are cold, and they need warm food and a warm house…Not many people help the poor in times of need and those who do give the bare minimum… it’s dangerous and sad."

Toniloba

They continue:

"People should not only be generous during the winter period but all year round. Everyone should be treated equally and fairly and have the right to have a home and food."

It’s clear that this topic has really hit home, but it is not without hope "In my opinion, no, people are not more generous in times of need, but I hope that will change in the future."

What did other children say?

person shopping in supermarket

18% of primary-aged voters agreed with Tomiloba that people are not more generous in times of need, with a range of different reasons. One pupil from St Helen's Primary Academy wrote, "It's hard for the poor to be generous in times of need because they don't have food or drink to give to others." showing that they believe that people may want to be generous but may not be able to.

elderly person looking at energy bill

Pupils from Edale Rise Primary School also agreed that people are not always generous in times of need, but balmed this on the rising cost of living in the UK, saying "the “cost of living crisis “ has effected many people in England." Pupils from Homerswood Primary and Nursery School echoed these thoughts, writing "no-one can afford to help out or donate to food banks because everyone is struggling themselves they can't afford to help others."

72% of 5-11 year olds believe that people are more generous in times of need.

However, 72% of voters believed that people are more generous in times of need. Wyvern Primary School pupils wrote that it makes us feel better about ourselves to help others, and Holybrook Primary School reminded us that giving doesn't need to be something physical, writing, "Not everyone can afford to help financially, but everyone could help by making someone smile!"

Closing thoughts...

"Only the acts of kindness will pull us through the difficult times."

Pupil from Holland House School