There are currently two Poverty Truth Commissions active across County Durham, each building relationships and shaping their work in different ways. This update brings together news from both — with Stanley and Consett preparing to launch their second Commission, and South Durham continuing its work through established working groups.

We are excited to confirm that a date has now been set for the launch of County Durham’s second Poverty Truth Commission based in Stanley and Consett writes Julie Gourley, Poverty Truth Commission Project Worker for Durham. This will be held on Tuesday 4 March at the local Village Hall, where we currently hold our weekly meetings and feel at our most comfortable and safe.

The Community Commissioners are about to commence working on their story telling with a local poet and animator and we are slowly working through the practicalities and logistics of the day: room layout, sound systems, activities and most importantly food!

We are starting to identify Civic Commissioners to move with us into the next stage and have an ever growing list of issues to share with them.

Supported by Investors in Children, the Stanley and Consett Commission will also be working alongside a local youth group to ensure the voices of young people are heard and their ideas given space to flourish.

Meanwhile, our first Commission in South Durham are busy meeting monthly in their working groups of:

• Domestic Abuse
• Disability and Benefits
• Access to Health Care Services

They are starting to identify the all important small wins, as well as pinning down more challenging topics they want to tackle.

We are looking forward to the warmer weather and longer, brighter days, and wish you all well.

(Caption: Pictured are Commissioners from County Durham at the 2025 Annual Commissioners Gathering)