Earlier this year, the South Tyneside Poverty Truth Commission launched with a powerful event that brought people together to listen deeply to experiences of struggle, resilience and hope from across South Tyneside. You can read more about the launch event here: South Tyneside PTC Launch Event.
This update has been written by Susan and Lesley, Facilitators for the South Tyneside Poverty Truth Commission, as the Commission enters the next phase of its journey.
Following our launch, we have entered Phase Two of the journey, a crucial stage focused on building relationships and developing a shared understanding of poverty.
At the heart of the Poverty Truth approach is the belief that lasting change is built on trust. That trust doesn’t happen overnight. It is created by giving people the time and space to get to know one another, to listen deeply, and to begin to understand each other’s perspectives.
Getting to know one another
Community and Civic Commissioners are now meeting regularly, coming together as equals to share experiences, challenge assumptions, and explore the realities of poverty in South Tyneside. Alongside these monthly meetings, Commissioners are also meeting one-to-one to strengthen relationships and create opportunities for more personal and honest conversations.
As these relationships develop, so too does a shared understanding of poverty, one that reflects both lived experience and insight from across local systems. Through open dialogue and reflection, Commissioners are beginning to identify the issues that matter most, the areas where there is both lived experience and the potential to influence change.
Looking ahead
Over the coming months, the Commission will work together to agree a small number of key priorities, which will shape the focus of the next phase of the work. This stage is about more than identifying problems. It is about creating the conditions where meaningful solutions can emerge, grounded in trust, honesty, and collaboration.
We are now working towards Phase Three: Working on Agreed Priorities, where smaller groups of Community and Civic Commissioners will come together to explore these priorities in more depth and begin co-creating solutions that can make a real difference across South Tyneside.