What We Do

The North of Tyne Poverty Truth Commission brings together residents with experience of living in poverty with civic and business representatives to come up with practical changes and solutions.

After over a year of preparation, North of Tyne launched its Poverty Truth Commission in October 2022. Inspired by similar work in other local authority areas, North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA), Community Foundation Tyne and Wear and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation have come together to fund the development of a commission for the North of Tyne from 2021 to the Summer of 2023, delivered by local charity, Children North East. 

The North of Tyne Poverty Truth Commission brings together residents with experience of living in poverty with civic and business representatives. The commission aims to better understand the challenges faced by residents living in poverty in Newcastle, North Tyneside, and Northumberland, and to come up with practical changes and solutions to some of those challenges. 

The impact of the coronavirus crisis on people already struggling, the ongoing impact of the cost-of-living crisis and the steps needed for economic recovery are a central theme of the Commission’s work. The launch event provided a platform for Community Commissioners to share their diverse stories and for all Commissioners to begin to develop relationships in preparation for the beginning of working groups.  

Attendees reflected on the power of understanding the experiences of Community Commissioners; noting the barriers people have faced and some of the specific aspects of their stories. Civic and Business Commissioners have reported a sense of motivation, realisation and commitment to move forward with the next stages of the commission. One commissioner commenting that they had been prompted to “think about how policy is implemented locally and the unintended effects on people.” 

In Autumn 2022 the commission is moving into its “explore” and “experiment” stages whereby commissioners work together to discuss, debate and recommend practical solutions in response to the lived experience of community commissioners.  

This work will focus on three themes which have been identified by Community Commissioners.

In Autumn 2022 the commission is moving into its “explore” and “experiment” stages whereby commissioners work together to discuss, debate and recommend practical solutions in response to the lived experience of community commissioners.  

This work will focus on three themes which have been identified by Community Commissioners:

• Food/fuel poverty  
• Caring responsibilities (elderly and children with additional needs) 
• Health (physical health, mental health and disability)  

Commissioners will move into working groups to allow them to develop close working relationships, exploring one of these themes. 

If you are a North of Tyne resident with lived experience of poverty and you are interested in getting involved with the Poverty Truth Commission, you can contact Children North East to find out more.

• General enquiries: Luke Bramhall, Head of Youth Services and Poverty Proofing luke.bramhall@children-ne.org.uk
• For any press or media enquires: Billie Jenkins, Marketing and Communications Manager billie.jenkins@children-ne.org.uk

This work will continue until Summer 2023. 

There are 10 active Poverty Truth Commissions across the UK. Each is independent and developed locally while supported by the Poverty Truth Network, an independent charity. A key element of the Poverty Truth Commission model is a recognition that it is a learning experience where results and outcomes are not determined in advance. 

Martin Johnstone of the Poverty Truth Network said:  “Poverty Truth Commissions have made a difference to every part of the UK where they’ve been established.  From Surrey to Stockton, from Wolverhampton to West Cheshire, Poverty Truth Commissions are working to connect those living in poverty to those in positions of power. 

We’re delighted they will now be joined by the North of Tyne – the first Combined Authority in the UK to host one. We will do everything we can to support this important new initiative.” 

Further information: 

• Poverty Truth Network: https://www.povertytruthnetwork.org/ 
• Examples of success from Poverty Truth Commissions include: 
• Leeds, where widespread misconceptions surrounding unemployment and ‘welfare’ were challenged. 
• Salford, Greater Manchester, where the local authority provided an extra £70,000 funding for the council’s welfare rights and debt advice service as a result. This helped to support 3,436 people with specialist free help and advice and secured nearly £5 million in extra disposable income for Salford residents. 
• Scotland, where a review found that people living in poverty had the confidence to speak and people in positions of power had the confidence to listen.
  

For more information about the North of Tyne Poverty Truth Commission, please contact joanna.unthank@northoftyne-ca.gov.uk