Since 2024, the County Durham Poverty Truth Commission has been working to bring people with direct experience of poverty together with civic and business leaders from a wide range of local businesses and organisations.
The guiding principle of the Poverty Truth Commission is ‘nothing about us without us is for us', and we believe that only when people with direct experience of poverty are listened to will lasting changes be made.
The County Durham Poverty Truth Commission aims:
- To change the narrative and reduce stigma around poverty by sharing stories from people who are living with poverty.
- Create opportunities for decision makers to hear the reality of those struggling with poverty.
- To bring those with experience of poverty together with decision makers to make better decisions and bring about change.
You can find out more about our work on the following pages:
- Poverty Truth Commission 1: South Durham
- Poverty Truth Commission 2: Stanley and Consett
- Issues and Resources
- Learning
County Durham Poverty Truth Commission Journey Journal
Julie, our County Durham Poverty Truth Commission Project Worker, is writing a series of blogs to track the journey of the Poverty Truth Commission and those involved in it.
Poverty Truth Nationally
The first Poverty Truth Commission began in Scotland in 2009. The model is based on learning from post apartheid peace building in South Africa and uses a relational approach to build relationships and trust and break down barriers.
Across the UK, more than 50 commissions involving 800+ people have already made meaningful changes in their local areas. We are excited to see what positive changes we can make together in County Durham.
To find out more about what a Poverty Truth Commission is and how it works, please visit The Poverty Truth Network
Poverty Truth Network Video - What is a PTC?
For more information about the County Durham Poverty Truth Commission, please contact:
Project Coordinator: Cathryn Gathercole
cathryn.gathercole@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk
Project Worker: Julie Gourley
