Earlier this year, we celebrated a major milestone as Community Commissioners from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Poverty Truth Commission submitted the manuscript for Poverty in the UK: The Lived Experience. We’re delighted to share that the textbook has now been published by Routledge and is available to order.
Poverty in the UK: The Lived Experience is a textbook for students, practitioners, activists and policy makers, including those studying social work, health, social care and social sciences. Contrary to many textbooks, the book is written and edited by people who have experienced poverty first-hand; giving readers the opportunity to understand the causes of poverty, the experience of poverty, and the solutions to tackling poverty, from the viewpoint of those who have been directly affected.
The book was edited by Debbie, Carrie and Mel from the BCP Poverty Truth Commission and the Bournemouth University PIER Partnership. It has over 40 different contributors, many from across the Poverty Truth Network. It includes a chapter telling the story of how the Network started and has evolved which is written by Martin (one of our Co-Directors) alongside Poverty Truth Commissioners from across the UK, including Claire (Gateshead), Dusty (Morecambe Bay), Rachel (West Cheshire), Tracy (West Cheshire), and Tricia (Scotland).
An online book launch was held in June to celebrate, and an in-person celebration took place at Bournemouth University this month (July 2026).
A proud moment for the Commission
Angela Fendley, Facilitator from BCP Poverty Truth Commission, said: “We are thrilled about the launch of this powerful textbook, written by the real experts on poverty: those who have lived it. We are so proud of the achievement of Carrie, Debbie and Mel to get this book published. The three of them met as Commissioners on the first Poverty Truth Commission (PTC) for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in 2021. In January 2023, the Commission continued its conversations which led to the setting up of the Poverty truth Wisdom Lab.
“A Poverty Truth Commission itself takes time to build relationships and for ideas to germinate and come to fruition; and so has this – its taken them a lot of dedication and time, and many mugs of mocha!”
Emily Bradbury, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole PTC Facilitator added: “I distinctly remember how Carrie, Debbie and Mel first started asking ‘What if…?’, and dreaming this book into existence as a way of getting some of these stories out there! So brilliant to finally hold it in our hands and see the fruit of their courage!”
Order your copy now
The book can be ordered directly from Routledge using discount code ADC26 for 30% off until 31 December 2026.
The book is also available to order on Amazon.