After 28 years on the helm of Church Action on Poverty, Niall Cooper is stepping down from his role as director – marking the top of a remarkable chapter in Christian social justice and offering a moment for each reflection and gratitude.
Since taking the reins in 1997, Niall has been a tireless advocate for the poorest and most financially vulnerable in British society. As he prepares for the subsequent chapter in life, he sat all the way down to share a number of the journey, the battles fought, the changes seen, and his hopes for the longer term of the Church in its mission to challenge poverty and inequality.
A Calling Rooted in Faith and Justice
Niall’s journey into Christian social justice work was no accident. “My university degree had been in politics and religion,” he recalls, “and I knew that I wanted to try this work – not only study it, but to do it. My passion was how the churches could make a difference.”
That passion first found expression in housing activism. In the early Nineties, while engaged in community work in Hulme, Manchester – a neighbourhood long related to deprivation – Niall helped establish the Churches National Housing Coalition. It was eventually absorbed by Church Action on Poverty, and in 1997, when then-director Paul Goggins left to turn out to be an MP, Niall was appointed to steer the organisation.
Milestones of a Movement
Reflecting on nearly three many years of leadership, Niall identifies 4 predominant sorts of highlights: powerful moments with supporters, significant policy wins, local people impact, and the rising leadership of individuals with lived experience of poverty.
Supporter-Driven Movements
Two campaigns stand out for his or her ability to galvanise the Church and wider public. The Pilgrimage Against Poverty in 1999 was a nine-week walk from Iona to Westminster, drawing hundreds along the route. “Six people walked the entire way,” Niall remembers, “but hundreds joined for a mile, a day, or per week. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We had a giant rally in Trafalgar Square, a service at St Martin-in-the-Fields, and the walkers met the Chancellor, Gordon Brown.”
A decade later, Church Action on Poverty joined Christian Aid within the Tax Justice Bus Tour, taking a red double-decker across the UK to boost awareness and create space for vital conversations. “Both of those things really engaged people behind a robust message,” says Niall. “They weren’t just protests – they were moments of fellowship, commitment and public theology in motion.”
Transformative Policy Wins
Advocacy has also borne fruit in policy changes that reached far beyond symbolic victories. One early breakthrough got here under the New Labour government. “We made the case for inexpensive credit,” Niall says, recalling meetings with Treasury officials that led to £120 million being invested in credit unions – an important counter to the exploitative lending practices that disproportionately affect low-income communities.
Another long-fought campaign, in collaboration with Thrive Teesside, challenged irresponsible high-cost lending. Six women from Stockton-on-Tees, supported by Church Action on Poverty, doggedly lobbied MPs and regulators over nearly a decade. Their persistence paid off: the Financial Conduct Authority eventually stepped in with regulations that led to thousands and thousands in compensation and drove several predatory lenders out of business. “They were bizarre – and extraordinary – women,” Niall reflects. “It was their courage, not only ours, that made it occur.”
Community Empowerment
Beyond Westminster, Church Action on Poverty has pioneered practical frameworks that empower communities to steer. One such innovation was Participatory Budgeting, introduced with support from Oxfam. “It gave people a direct say in how money was spent of their communities,” says Niall. “Over 120 local projects were launched, with tens of hundreds of individuals involved.” Scotland even enshrined the approach in law – a rare example of grassroots policy scaling nationally.
Another major success has been Your Local Pantry, which began in Stockport in 2013. “It’s about greater than just food,” Niall explains. “It’s about dignity, agency, and community. Pantry members have saved over £15 million from weekly household budgets and plenty of say it’s improved their mental and physical health. That’s the sort of work the Church may be happy with – solutions built with, not for, people.”
Lifting Up Lived Experience
Perhaps probably the most inspiring legacy Niall Cooper leaves behind is the organisation’s commitment to amplifying the voices of those with lived experience of poverty. “I draw huge inspiration from activists like Wayne Green, who spoke at the primary National Poverty Hearing in 1996 and continues to be involved today. Or Sarah Whitehead, who began in a neighborhood project and now trains others. Or Ashleigh May, who was made homeless and moved a whole bunch of miles by her council, but has turn out to be a voice for a lot of others.”
These individuals are usually not just case studies – they’re leaders. “One thing we’ve really learned is how vital it’s to create space for people to inform their very own stories, shape the message and lead the change.”
What Has – and Hasn’t – Changed
Looking back through the years, Niall sees each progress and painful persistence. “There’s more recognition now of the importance of lived experience. Our Dear Prime Minister letters last yr brought together greater than a dozen people supported by a network of organisations. That simply wouldn’t have happened ten years ago.”
But much stays bleak. “The harshness of the DWP today is more brutal than ever. People who don’t live in poverty often don’t know how punitive the system is. There’s been a pulling back of the state, and churches have stepped up – but we must watch out for individualising each the issue and the answer.”
One quote from early in Niall’s profession still resonates powerfully today: “Poverty is a battle of invisibility and being blamed for society’s problems.” He adds, “That was true when Wayne said it within the Nineties, and it’s still true now.”
A Word to the Church
As he steps down, Niall has a transparent and urgent message for churches: “The big task is constructing a robust movement where people feel they’ve agency, dignity and power. We must stop accepting charity as enough. Yes, food banks matter – but what if churches used that very same energy to vary the systems that make food banks crucial?”
He challenges churches to not accept ‘sticking plaster’ approaches, but to hitch in campaigns for justice. “Invest in dignity, not dependency,” he urges. “Be allies. Create space for people’s voices. And never stop asking why inequality persists.”
What Comes Next?
Now in his 60s, Niall has no intention of retreating from the fight. “I’ve taken up fell running – just did the Yorkshire Three Peaks race! I’ll spend more time with family, do some travelling, and take time to reflect on what I’ve learned. But I’m not stepping away from the anti-poverty movement. This continues to be what I’m keen about. I’ll stay in contact with the amazing people I’ve met, and discover: what’s the subsequent challenge I can do?”
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he’ll reward them for what they’ve done.” — Proverbs 19:17 (NIV)
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