Martin Johnstone

Martin has been part of the Poverty Truth story from the very start, helping to establish the first Poverty Truth Commission in Scotland in 2009. It’s a lifelong passion to social justice that gets him out of bed every morning – he doesn’t need an alarm clock.

Julia Coulton

Julia has worked in both public and private sector roles, and for charities for many years. She loves working for the Poverty Truth Network because they put the people that matter at the heart of things. In her spare time she is passionate about her football team Manchester City, learning to speak Italian, and watching films.

Andrew Grinnell

After hearing about the Poverty Truth Commission in Scotland, Andrew knew that it was something that the city of Leeds where he lived would benefit from. He didn’t realise then that this would also mean he would be involved in establishing the Poverty
Truth Network. He is a keen runner, loves cricket and is a self-confessed coffee snob.

Lucy Zwolinska

Lucy is from the North East of England and has spent the last few years working in Gateshead alongside Gateshead Poverty Truth Commission. She has loved seeing the positive impact that PTCs can have on local communities. In her spare time she loves to run, read and is learning Polish.

Sarah Lyall

Sarah is a researcher and facilitator who has worked as a policy advocate for a think tank and as a policy manager in municipal government. She loves to see real change led by people with direct experience of the issues. Sarah is inspired by community organising, co-production and deliberative democracy, and has excellent knowledge of British biscuits.

Ally Mackenzie

Ally Mackenzie works for Morecambe Bay Poverty Truth Commission and is also a Mentor for the national network. She has been doing community development work across the North West for 30 years. In her spare time she likes to cycle, sing in a community choir, and be outdoors as much as possible, her favourite thing being the view across Morecambe Bay whatever the weather.

Ali Bodley

Ali’s background is in heritage and social justice. She loves Poverty Truth because it enables people to change their own lives and make the world a better place. Ali enjoys keeping fit (just discovered yoga), gardening (could do better), wide open spaces (when she can get to them) and taking an interest in the world.

Diane Baxter

Diane brings a wealth of experience and commitment to challenging poverty and inequality of opportunity. She has been involved in community work, homelessness, and housing work for over 30 years. Diane champions the unheard voices of communities, she is a Director of Inspire Women Oldham and a participant in the Oldham Poverty Truth Commission. Diane brings strategic leadership experience in helping to shape and secure system change with connections to some fabulous learning projects, research, and authentic co-production.

When not working and playing Mum’s taxi Diane enjoys getting out and about, time in the garden and exploring new places.

Clare Roberts

Clare first became involved in Poverty Truth in 2016 when she was looking for work and had to google it, after seeing a job vacancy for a Facilitators role. She then went on to co-ordinate 2 very successful Poverty Truth Commissions in West Cheshire. Clare is driven by seeing the difference that including people with lived experience, at a strategic, decision making level can have. She loves getting to know new people and believes everyone should have the support they need to reach their potential!
Outside of work, Clare spends a lot of time with her close family, taking gardening tips from her Dad and trying to keep herself fit with a bit of very casual running (jogging!)

Cat Plackett

Cat lives in Ipswich and has been working alongside the Suffolk Tackling Poverty Together Project (which is a Poverty Truth Commission in all but name).
Believing in the power of co-production, Cat advocates for people’s involvement in shaping the systems that affect their lives, emphasising the importance of recognizing everyone’s unique strengths within a community.
As a mature student, Cat earned a BA in Sociology and Psychosocial Studies, followed by an MA in Sociological Research Methods. She is excited to learn from every encounter and to contribute to building a more equitable society.
Cat has two mad dogs that keep her on her toes!