More than 80 years on from the Jarrow March - people in the South Tyneside town are once again fighting to eliminate poverty.
In 1936, 200 unemployed men marched from Jarrow to London carrying a petition signed by 12,000 residents. The petition, which was received by the House of Commons, called for support following the closure of the local Shipyard.
Although there was no immediate support received, the publicity accompanying and following the march, known as the Jarrow Crusade, helped to generate some renewal for the town.
Read more: Jarrow residents could be given £1,600 per month in brand-new 'basic income' trial
Fast forward 87 years and the town is still on its knees. The main industries have been closed for years and the coronavirus pandemic and the cost of living crisis have left residents struggling.
As it stands, nearly 6000 children are living in food poverty and the town has been classed as deprived and 'left behind'.
However that hasn't stopped the local community from coming together once more to fight for change.
Jarrow is one of 150 'Big Local' communities across England which receives support from Local Trust. For the last three years, local people have been taking part in discussions about Universal Basic Income (UBI).
UBI involves a set amount of money regularly being given to every adult in society. The aim of the unconditional cash payment is to reduce poverty, enhance economic security and improve overall wellbeing.
Since the covid-19 lockdown, focus groups have been taking place so residents could share their thoughts on UBI. Funding was also provided for so Northumbria University researchers could gather information.
Two of the 150 communities - Jarrow and Grange in East Finchley, London - have focused their attention on UBI and think tank Autonomy has prepared a detailed plan for trials to be carried out in both area.
If they were to take place, this would be a first in England. The proposal involves 15 people in each town receiving £1,600 a month for two years in order to identify how it would impact on their wellbeing and mental health.
Those involved believe it could have a positive affect and that, if successful, it could be used by the Government or local authority to inform policy.
However £1.6 million in funding is needed in order to get the pilots off the ground.
Big Local Jarrow
Anne Corrigan, project coordinator for Big Local Jarrow, said: "I think it will put Jarrow back on the map.
"The Jarrow March didn't really have any impact at the time but it was the catalyst to welfare reform.
"If this is the catalyst to doing similar then it's a good thing, it's replicating history.
"Poverty has an impact on people's wellbeing and mental health. It just makes them worse, it doesn't make them any better.
"The trial will show the impact which it has on people's health and wellbeing and the knock on effect that it could have on the community and those around them.
"We'd like to think that it would then be used to inform policy either locally or nationally or both.
"It's about looking at a fairer way of doing things for everybody. It's about looking at how things could be done differently."
The 60-year-old said there would be no restrictions placed on the money which is received.
She said: "You can still go to work on top of that money. It could support people to go back to work or it might support people to start up their own business.
"It might support people struggling with a caring responsibility or support people with childcare if they are working.
"You always get people who will be sceptical and you will get people who are passionate about it and we have had mixed discussions. I think the main concerns was that people would not use the money sensibly."
Anne said residents between the age of 19 and 80 have got involved in conversations about UBI. She said that, if the trial did go ahead, they would look to include people of all ages and backgrounds.
She said: "I think people will have to put their name forward to be involved in the trial to say that they're interested and there will be a selection process. That will be supported by the university and Autonomy.
"These residents who have been involved in conversations will be part of the research that is being published. That in itself is an achievement for people. They have been acknowledged and their voice has been heard."
Resident Ros Taylor, who was previously a community development worker at Big Local Jarrow, said: "An extra bit of income may be able to free people up.
"They could take the day off to become a carer or do something for themselves.
"I think we have got to give it a go to see if it will work. We don't now if we don't try.
"It's lovely that the university value the work and want to be involved."
Northumbria University
Professor Matthew Johnson, who works for Northumbria University, is the lead researcher on the project.
The 40-year-old, who lives in Newcastle, said that following the Jarrow March, people in the town may now have the opportunity to change the way the country thinks about the social society system.
He said: "I think this is exciting for the North East. For too long we have been subject to Government policy imposed upon us as a region. I think that the current system is unsustainable. It's unfair to workers.
"I think what this does is demonstrate that policy like this is feasible and possible. When people see the affect they'll come to regard them as popular policies.
"Universal based income is a policy for workers and people that want to get ahead. It corrects the unfairness of the current system.
"I'm very proud to come from the North East and I'm proud of our project in terms of driving forward change in this area."
Jarrow MP Kate Osborne
Kate Osborne, who has been Labour MP for Jarrow since 2019, has backed the pilot. She said: "I welcome the pilot happening in my historic constituency.
"A universal basic income will put a solid foundation beneath everybody so that they can have a life with security and stop worrying about everything.
"We heard today that we have a child poverty epidemic in the North East.
"In Jarrow we have nearly 6000 children living in food poverty - many people are living so close to the edge all of the time and we’ve got to take that away and give them much more security in their everyday lives.
"We are one of the richest countries in the world and it's not right that so many millions are living in poverty. We must take action to lift people out of poverty.
"I'm pleased Jarrow is having a UBI Pilot - and I'm looking forward to seeing the results and if we can roll this out for a wider group of people."
A basic income trial backed by the Government is already underway in Wales. Around 500 young people leaving care are currently being paid £1,600 a month.
In America, more than one hundred basic income pilots have been funded by philanthropists.
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