Our experience at the Labour Party Conference

The Poverty2Solutions journey continues: The Voices of lived experience, leading on issues that matter and merging expertise is the key to affecting change 

The Poverty2Solutions journey began over 3 years ago. Three grassroots organisations led by lived experience of poverty (ATD Fourth World, Dole Animators and Thrive Teesside) were (and continue to be) supported by a graphic designer and academic. The merging of the varying levels of expertise led to the aspiration to ensure that the voice of lived experience was taken seriously and able to inform decisions that have an impact on low income communities lives

Poverty2Solutions are a diverse group with a range of expertise, knowledge and skills. The group have proven time and time again how effective they are at playing to their strengths and drawing in other areas of expertise when needed to add value. The dynamics of the group are complimentary with lived experience of poverty being at the heart of taking actions forward. 

 “We are the voice of our communities with the skills and experience to influence change. We are solution focussed and innovative. We have seen how bad policy decisions have had a negative impact on people who are already struggling. Being part of the decision making process can prevent further suffering in low income communities”

Corrina, Thrive

“Working together with ATD Fourth World and Thrive has been a really great experience in knowing that we all share a passion to look at the bigger picture and not just our own lived experiences. Coming together to pool our different skills and expertise has enabled us to have a bigger voice and lends more credibility to our aims and goals - which is to work with, not against, decision and policy makers to ensure fairer changes can be made that will benefit all in society."

Sue, Dole Animators

No longer wanting to be side-lined or denied the opportunity to engage in developing solutions to social problems, the Poverty2Solutions team were tired of feeling that their voices and experiences were ignored in policy making discussions and debates. They wanted to be part of changing things and thus advocated their need to enhance their civic responsibility by way of applying their unique and valued grassroots’ expertise to transform the decision making arena, actively addressing issues that matter to the communities they live in. Having a shared determination to be recognised for the skills and abilities lived experience possess led the group to the acknowledgement of voice as being key to affecting change. 

“The power of voice is a very important tool, when you have been ignored and discriminated against, you lose your voice. This project has given us voice again. Going out and speaking to MPs is very important and when we are listened to and our shared experience taken into account it inspires us to keep going. We have power now in our voice.”

Seamus, ATD Fourth World

Continuing the Poverty2Solutions journey and agreeing voice as a key area of focus to affecting change led the group to seek additional expert support from JRF’s policy and campaign manager to help choose and develop a key policy ask. After lots of deliberation, we chose enacting section 1 of the Equality Act 2010 (the socio economic duty) in order to reduce inequality between socio-economic groups. Not satisfied with just dusting down an old policy, it became crucial to the group that the voice of lived experience needed to be placed at the heart of delivering this provision. 

“I may be seen as only one person living in very difficult circumstances, but I know a thing or two about how to organise myself and develop solutions to improving not only my life, but others who are in similar positions. It is in the decision and policy makers interest to collaborate with me. I have something to offer that is unique and could assist them, thus leading to more effective policy making decisions. Is that not a win win situation which can then lead to mutual respect and a fairer society?”

Kath Carter, Thrive

So how did we turn our ambitions and aspirations into action? Poverty2Solutions were clear on their ask, but needed to gather information, advice and support. A meeting with Harriet Harman, MP (the Equalities Minister in 2009) seemed the most sensible first step as in 2009 she had tried to introduce the socio-economic duty. This was abandoned by the then Home Secretary, Theresa May, MP. Harriet Harman continued in her quest to gain support for the introduction of the Duty and Poverty2Solutions wanted to hear more about this. The group recognised how valuable gaining allies and support from all political parties could be a key determining factor to progressing the ask and so invites to meet with leading political figures from all parties then followed. We held a number of influencing meetings with Labour Shadow ministers, embarked on a fact finding road trip to Scotland to check out the implementation of the Fairer Scotland Duty and linked in with Just Fair and their campaign #1forEquality.

“Our group appreciates that we don’t have all the answers and information. We are keen to work in collaboration with others and pool our skills, expertise and resources. It is only by working together, building relationships of trust and respecting each other’s’ area of expertise that we can really make a difference. We have a shared to goal to make a more equal and fairer society, so it is worthwhile to work more closely on issues that are of public concern. Reducing inequality is in everyone’s interest”

Tracey Herrington, Thrive

Pooling various levels of expertise and bringing in other experts at key stages throughout our journey has been invaluable.  Poverty2Solutions acknowledge and appreciate the added value associated with combining skills and knowledge. We have gathered information around best practice campaigning methods, sought advice from legal experts and consequently evidenced an ability to form partnerships of mutual respect. The group continued to meet regularly to consolidate their policy ask and the ‘Do Your Duty for Equality’ campaign became the instinctive next step. 

“All of this this has made us feel listened to, we live in hardship every day, living without a roof over our head, deciding whether to eat or put on the heating, not knowing where our next meal is coming from, struggling to understand the ever changing benefit system, and feeling guilty for claiming benefits . Things need to improve for everyone, by working together we can make changes”

Patricia, ATD Fourth World

The Do Your Duty campaign and briefing paper was launched at the Labour Party conference fringe event and set in motion the next targeted steps to seek support from others with influence, contacts and expertise. A high profile and well branded fringe event featured a panel of high profile speakers including the Labour shadow minister (Kate Green MP) and representatives from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) (Daisy Sands), Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) (Carla Clarke) and Povery2Solutions (Dylan Eastwood). The event was chaired by Ayesha Hazarika, a journalist and comedian, who also acted as an advisor to Harriet Harman during the development of the 2010 Equality Act. This event sparked a lively debate on the value of implementing the socio-economic duty with particular emphasis placed on the value of collaborating with lived experience to effectively implement and monitor the duty

Dylan on behalf of Poverty2Solutions was inspirational in his debut speech at the event:

“We may not be politicians, or experts on law and legislation, but we are experts by experience. With knowledge and expertise on our communities on what they want and what they need. This is a chance for those who have felt voiceless, who have given up on politics. In a nation arguably more divided than ever to be heard, through implementation of the socio-economic duty our involvement will hopefully lead us to feel protected and valued”

Dylan Eastwood, Thrive

As a result of attending the Labour Party conference, key contacts were made, legal advice has been offered and follow up meetings were held with members of Labour’s shadow cabinet. While fully assessing the party conference launch is difficult, overall feedback has been positive and group members have felt inspired:

“taking our project to the LPC was great, I really liked it. I had never been to such an event, meeting MPs and public figures was something special, I felt some of the people really listened to us. We really need to keep meeting people and getting the message out there.”

Angela, ATD Fourth World

“it is a sign that our words are getting taken into account. I think is important that the voices of people from the grassroots are heard by government. Putting an end to poverty is important, we hope to see positive changes implemented in many areas, but more {for me and our community} social housing in very important. It is very difficult to access social housing, private landlords are over charging us and then many struggling families fall into debt”

Seamus, ATD Fourth World

The Poverty2Solutions focus needed to then take into consideration the announcement of an early election. The group’s emphasis became that of having the policy ask in all party manifestos. The team then reached out to all party leaders making this request. Our appeal for support was backed up with a summary of need and a rationale as to the value implementing the duty. The group feel success of the work to date has been achieved with the Labour Party’s commitment in the manifesto: 

“We will put class at the heart of Britain’s equality agenda and create a new ground for discrimination on the basis of socio-economic disadvantage”

Labour Party Manifesto 2019

“Seeing this in the labour party manifesto is really important.. because we represent the forgotten voices of people in poverty. This is a sign that someone is listening for change. Now we are beginning to be listened too, it’s time that our voices and knowledge are included around the table when discussing policy.”

Amanda, ATD Fourth World

“This is a recognition of all the hard work put into the campaign (#doyourdutyforequality) and testimony to bringing together a group with diverse experience lead by people with a lived experience of poverty.”

Dann, ATD Fourth World

The work that has gone into influencing policy to date cannot be underestimated. Our Poverty2Solutions journey will not end here. We are very pleased to see this commitment and will concentrate our efforts on remaining true to our values, ensuring lived experience is at the heart of delivering this provision. We cannot predict the outcome of this election and will continue to dedicate time building relationships, seeking our policy ask and ensuring people who are affected by decisions that impact on them will lead the work going forward