During the course of the PTC, the commissioners have had many deep and powerful conversations about topics that affect them. You can listen to some of these below. We hope that sharing them will inform others about the causes and impact of poverty and deepen understanding of the real lives of those living in poverty. We want these stories to be heard, and we would be interested in any feedback you have on the content or how you have used them.
These stories cover sensitive issues which some people may find upsetting.
Conversations
Please click on the title links to watch the recordings:
What are your experiences of being a carer and/or in care?
The following conversation looks at the challenges faced by County Durham Poverty Truth Commission Community Commissioners in their role as carers and as looked-after children in the care system.
What are your experiences of domestic abuse?
The following conversation involves the community commissioners discussing their experiences of domestic abuse. This conversation is sensitive and discusses sexual abuse, coercion and manipulation.
What are your experiences of mental health?
In this conversation, the community commissioners talk about the times when they have experienced difficulties with their mental health.
What are your experiences of debt?
In this conversation, the community commissioners discuss their experiences of being in debt and facing bankruptcy.
What are your experiences of homelessness?
In this conversation, the community commissioners talk about their experiences of childhood homelessness, the realisation that ‘sofa surfing’ is actually homelessness and the impact it has on self-esteem and mental health.
Community Commissioners' Stories:
These videos are taken from the launch event and highlight individual contributions. We hope that they will be useful to those who have an interest in addressing the challenges of poverty, and in understanding how peoples lives are affected.
At 15 I was living on the streets
At the age of 34 I became a widow
Growing up I didn’t have a voice
My life is not worth living; I am exhausted but hopeful
My poem is a journey of poverty
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