Challenge Poverty Week 2026

Throughout the week, we will be sharing information and advice about the support available to help people with money worries. 

A series of FREE events have been scheduled across North Lanarkshire which will be hosted by the council, its partners and voluntary organisations.

Airdrie: Chapelside Community Centre,  Waddell Street, ML6 6JU

Session: Menspace - Meeting space for men to chat, recharge, reflect through learning.

9.30 - 11.30am

Come along to “Men’s Space” and improve your general wellbeing through taking part in a new activity or learning a new skill.

Airdrie: Chapelside Community Centre,  Waddell Street, ML6 6JU

Session: Digital Skills Group

1.30 - 3.30pm

These free digital skills sessions are designed to help learners develop practical skills for everyday life and work. Suitable for all levels, from complete beginners onwards, the sessions are tailored to individual needs and cover topics including word processing, internet searching, online safety and digital skills for job searching. 

Bellshill: Salvation Army Café, Gladstone Street, Bellshill, ML4 1AT

Session: Information café

10am - 1pm

Drop in to our friendly café and find out more about the range of local services and activities available to support you. Find out more about energy saving tips, get financial advice, helpful health and financial information, general advice and more.

North Lanarkshire wide: All Citizens Advice Bureaus

Session: Drop in energy advice clinic

9am - 3pm

Drop into your local Citizens Advice Bureau for free information and advice on:  

• Dealing with energy debt  
• Understanding your energy bills  
• Other financial support that you may be entitled to 

Airdrie: Chapelside Community Centre,  Waddell Street, ML6 6JU

Session: Adult Literacy Group

1 - 3pm

Join us to find out more about how to improve your literacy skills to help you apply for jobs and become more confident online.

Wishaw: Craigneuk Family Learning Centre, 641 Glasgow Road, ML2 7SR  

Session: Adult literacy and numeracy group

12 noon - 2pm

Join us to find out more about how to improve your literacy skills to help you apply for jobs  and become more confident on-line.

Motherwell: Library, Hamilton Road, ML1 3BZ

Session: Adult Literacy and numeracy group

9.15 - 11.15am

Get support to develop your confidence with reading, writing, spelling, numbers and everyday maths in a relaxed and welcoming environment. No pressure, no judgement, just friendly support to help you take the next step.

Coatbridge: Cliftonville & Coatdyke Community Centre, Quarry Street, ML5 3PU

Session: Cost of Living Connect

9.30am - 1pm

Looking for ways to save money and reduce household costs? 

Pop in for a free cuppa and scone while you find out what support is available. 

What’s on offer?

• Free financial health checks and money advice
• Energy-saving and fuel efficiency advice
• Taste tests and money-saving shopping tips
• Low-cost cooking ideas and free soup packs
• Support to help you stop smoking
• Free toiletries and period products
• Consumer Safety Advice
• Fresh food and handmade product giveaways and more!
• Consumer Safety Advice – have your faulty or damaged electrical
• Items checked. If they’re found to be unsafe, you could receive a free replacement electric blanket, extension lead or voucher

Session: Energy Confident Student Webinar

1 - 2pm

Recently moved into a new property? Looking to learn how to save money while also staying warm this winter as a student?

Join this free online Energy Confident Student Session hosted by Changeworks and learn more about:

• Setting up your energy account
• Getting to know your heating system
• Energy saving tips
• Understanding your energy bill and budgeting

Access to invaluable information and advice that can help you save money on energy bills, stay affordably warm at home and reduce your carbon footprint. By joining you can also receive a free warm pack sent to your home with small removable energy saving devices including draughtproofing, reflective radiator panels, LED bulbs and secondary glazing film.

Register for the seminar

Shotts: Co op, Station Road, ML7 4BA

Session: pop up community stand in supermarket. NLC Welfare Rights and Families Hear & Now will be on-hand.

11am - 1pm

On the second Thursday of each month, the project brings two different services  directly to the local community, providing a regular opportunity for people of all ages to engage with and access support locally. Focusing on early conversations with individuals to help prevent issues from escalating into crisis. 

Airdrie: Chapelside Community Centre,  Waddell Street, ML6 6JU

Session: Digital Skills Group

10am - 12pm

Develop digital skills for the place of work.

Motherwell: Lanarkshire Deaf Hub, Roman Road, ML1 1EA

Session: Information Day hosted by NLC, North Lanarkshire Carers Together (NLCT) and Lanarkshire Deaf Hub

9.30am - 1pm

The event will provide an opportunity for members of the Deaf community, families and unpaid carers to come along, find out more about the support available to them and speak directly with a range of organisations and services.