Stories of hardship from the North Cotswolds will be brought to Gloucester Cathedral in January, as the Cloisters host the exhibitions ‘Life on the breadline’ and ‘Hidden hardship: People’s experiences and responses to poverty in the UK today’ from 16 January to 3 February.
While the exhibitions explore poverty across both rural and urban settings, ‘Hidden hardship’ places a particular focus on the North Cotswolds, examining the less visible challenges faced by people living in rural communities. It highlights everyday struggles, barriers to wellbeing, and the ways residents cope with financial pressure in an area often associated with affluence.
“There’s definitely something about the Cotswolds being thought of as a lovely rural place to live, but these lovely rural places also hide significant hardship and poverty, and these exhibitions showcase inspirational stories of how churches in both rural and urban areas are responding to and supporting their communities,” said the Revd Canon Dr Rebecca Lloyd, Canon Chancellor and Director of Learning and Participation at Gloucester Cathedral.
‘Life on the breadline’, looks at urban poverty and the role churches play in responding to need. Based on three years of research, the project explores how Christian communities in cities including Birmingham, London, and Manchester have supported people facing hardship in the years following the financial crisis.
Visitors will be able to engage directly with the exhibitions by leaving reflections, taking away postcards, and joining discussions. A workshop for church and civic leaders will also take place alongside the displays, offering space to explore practical responses to poverty and to share ideas across communities.
“Churches play a vital role in supporting their local communities, both in cities and in the countryside,” Rebecca said. “At Gloucester Cathedral, we’re delighted to be hosting these important exhibitions which raise awareness of poverty, both more visible and more hidden, including within the North Cotswolds in our diocese. Come along to see the exhibitions and the workshop, to find out what other faith communities are doing to support people in need and to be inspired in your own faith and work.”
Booking not required.
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