– Children quickly outgrow sports equipment and it is expensive. So I borrow rather than buy, says Trine Julie Fredriksen. She has just delivered ski equipment, which the family has borrowed to take to the cabin. The offer at the treasury in Fredrikstad is open to anyone who wants to borrow equipment, not just those with a low income. – I think it’s gratifying and I spread the word to everyone, says Fredriksen. Fredrikstad is the municipality in the country with the most children who grow up on a persistently low income. Growing up with poor advice increases the risk of poorer health and alienation because the children do not have the same advantages as other children. In 2022, 17.9 per cent of children in Fredrikstad grew up in families with poor means. The corresponding figure for the country in general was 10.9 per cent. Trine Julie delivered several pairs of skis. At the same time, she brought some skates that she will borrow. Photo: Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen / news Decrease of 102,600 children belonging to a household with persistently low household income in 2022, new figures from Statistics Norway (SSB) show. – There are still many children who belong to households with persistently low incomes. But there have been fewer in the period 2020 to 2022, which we measure now, compared to what was the peak a few years ago, says senior advisor at Statistics Norway Tor Morten Normann. The main explanation for the fact that one in ten families has a persistently low income is that they have a weak connection to the labor market. – If you combine that with being a single parent or are a large family with children, there is often a risk of ending up in the low-income group, says Normann in SSB. In 2021, it was the first time in ten years that there was a decrease in the number of children in households with a persistently low income. Great demand At the treasury, children and young people can borrow ice skates, skis and other equipment they need to have fun in the winter. Never before have so many people come by. Although the shelves are full of equipment, they do not have enough for everyone who wants to borrow. – It is absolutely terrible. Children who don’t get equipment for the ski days, it’s just heartbreaking, says Barbro Flodin at the Treasury. Increasing need for help – The sad thing is that it can often lead to a lot of alienation. They cannot participate in the things that cost money, such as birthdays or school trips, says Pernille Backer Lemming. She has worked for the Red Cross for a number of years, and says that there is an increasing need for help. – It’s a big problem we’ve had for many years. We in the Red Cross and other organizations are trying to do something about this, but it will only be a plaster on the wound, says Lemming. Pernille Backer Lemming says that the Red Cross has a wide range of services. They offer, among other things, Norwegian training, knitting courses and organize social gatherings. Photo: Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen / news Open to all Barbro Flodin is happy that so many people take advantage of the offer at the Treasury. – Everyone comes and borrows. Some for financial reasons, some because they find it practical that they don’t have to store a lot of equipment at home, and others because of environmental concerns, says Flodin. Barbro Flodin says that the offer at the Treasury is open to anyone who wants to borrow equipment. Photo: EVEN BJØRINGSØY JOHNSEN / news The Treasury is also open in the summer. Then the equipment for summer activities is ready. – It is important that we meet the needs that people have. We are looking for funds for equipment, and many people donate, says Flodin. – But sometimes we also have to say no, if the equipment is too old. No one should feel stigma for coming here and borrowing. It is important to us, but at the same time now that the need is so great, we are grateful for all the equipment.
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Over 100,000 children live in families with poor means in Norway – news Østfold – Local news, TV and radio
