We work alongside people with experience of using our foodbank, helping to raise awareness of the drivers of poverty and ensure that those affected by poverty are central to decisions about how to tackle it.
We set up the East Surrey Poverty Truth Commission (ESPTC) in May 2019, bringing together a group of Community Commissioners who have used the foodbank with a group of Civic & Business Commissions who are senior representatives within local organisations who regularly come into contact with commissioners.
We are committed to ensuring that the people who have experienced financial hardship are central to decisions about how to tackle it.
We set up our second Poverty Truth Commission in May 2023, bringing together a group of Community Commissioners who have used the Foodbank or Pantry with a group of Civic & Business Commissioners from local organisations who are responsible for making decisions that affect people in poverty.
At our PTC Launch event in November 2023, our Community Commissioners shared their own experiences of financial hardship. They wanted people to understand the challenges of living on the poverty line, but also the positive things in their lives that have helped them to get through the hard times.
We have been meeting with our Commissioners over the past 18 months, to listen to each other, build relationships, identify issues, and co-design solutions. Through sharing people’s stories and experiences of financial hardship, the Commissioners identified a number of major issues affecting people in poverty and are working together to find long-term solutions to these problems:
The Commission’s findings were shared with at an uplifting and inspirational Celebration Event in November 2024, using interactive games, a drama sketch, and short interviews to get everyone thinking and talking about the key themes.
We will continue to work with both the Community and Civic Commissioners to implement and embed the key recommendations from the PTC, including:
As a result of their engagement with the PTC, many local organisations have signed our End Poverty Pledge and made specific pledges to help tackle poverty. Here are some examples:
“If we make a referral to another service, make sure we support the client through this and introduce them, rather than doing it cold.”
“Link up with other housing associations to fund healthy relationships programmes for schools.”
“Include those we work with in a meaningful way in the design and delivery of all our activities.”
“I am a part time drama teacher at a local school, and I would like the whole school to be made aware of these issues.”
Our mission is to see a community free from poverty, where everyone can afford life’s essentials.
