Our belief is that lasting and systemic change will only be possible when people with direct experience of poverty are helping to lead that change.

We live in a society where there are burning injustices. Our current systems are just not working and often don’t support people when they are struggling. Wealth is not evenly spread across the BCP area, and significant inequalities and pockets of deprivation exist where poverty is an acute problem for many.

A Poverty Truth Commission (PTC) is an invitation to become part of the solution. It aims to challenge the status quo and is led by those who have direct experience of poverty (Community Commissioners). Our approach is grounded in developing relationships between those experiencing the struggle against poverty, and civic and business leaders (Civic & Business Commissioners), creating a collaborative space to tackle poverty together. By testing these ideas in practice, we work together to integrate the insights gained into organisations, communities, and wider society. To understand how a PTC works you can watch this four minute video from the Poverty Truth Network.

There are Poverty Truth Commissions up and down the whole of the UK; we are proud to be part of something much bigger – a movement that is seeking to challenge poverty in a different way. More information can be found on the Poverty Truth Network website.

The first Commission for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole ran from 2021 – 2023, and in January 2025 we will be starting a second Commission that will run until 2027, where we will be able to engage with new individuals whose wisdom and experiences comes from different roots to that of the first Commission.

Community Commissioners

We will be seeking up to 20 individuals from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole who have experience of struggling against poverty and are willing to share their wisdom, to become part of the Commission process (usually over 18 months). Time will be spent getting to know one another, listening and learning from each other, building confidence and bringing their wisdom to influence decisions, policies and systems. It will enable Commissioners to find their voice and be heard in a safe supported space, along with others who are struggling against poverty.

“I’ve loved being part of a solution, instead of part of a problem” Community Commissioner

Civic & Business Commissioners

The Community Commissioners then invite up to 20 local leaders and people in positions of power (Civic & Business Commissioners) to join them to set up a Poverty Truth Commission. Which leaders are invited depends on the key issues identified by the Community Commissioners. Together the Community and Civic Commissioners will explore and address the persistent problems of poverty, unlock creative solutions and bring about deep culture change.

“It’s been the best thing I’ve done professionally for a long, long time” Civic & Business Commissioner

Hosted By

The Poverty Truth Commission for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is being hosted by Courage to Thrive CIC, a Poole-based social enterprise designed to unlock thriving with individuals, teams and communities in the local area. The second Commission has been funded by an award from The National Lottery Community Fund.

Contact us to find out more hello@povertytruthbcp.org