Jack Arts

The Trussell Trust and Don’t Panic: It Doesn’t Add Up

For those surviving on Universal Credit the cost-of-living crisis has taken an even bigger toll; with many facing an unrealistic balance where their incoming payments do not cover their basic costs – something isn’t adding up and we’re fighting for change in our latest campaign for The Trussell Trust charity and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, in collaboration with with creative agency Don’t Panic. 

Our Finsbury Park site turned into a giant working till (or ’till-board’); the mega-size receipts reeled out of the creative billboard summing-up the essential cost of living vs the inadequate Universal Credit allowance. The stark reality of the imbalance spills onto the pavement, paired with statistics and quotes detailing difficult financial decisions real people have had to make, like choosing between having the lights on or eating dinner. 

The receipts were teared off by passers-by and fly-posted in real-time onto local poster sites, filling the streets of with eye-opening stats aiming to raise awareness of the ‘Essentials Guarantee’ which would ensure receivers of Universal Credit always have their fundamental costs covered. Actor Charlotte Ritchie and singer-songwriter Joy Crookes also joined in the launch, and as well as being featured in It’s Nice That, the Trussell Trust also took to social media to support the campaign with videos and receipts of personal stories around the cost-of-living crisis.