Making Change Together: Three words that capture something at the very heart of the Poverty Truth approach: our belief that when people experiencing poverty and people in positions of influence come together, we can make poverty a thing of the past.
This was the theme of our 2026 Commissioners’ Gathering, which brought people from across the Poverty Truth Network together at The Hayes Christian Conference Centre in Derbyshire this October.
Over three days, Community and Civic Commissioners, Facilitators, people involved in our Amplify and Economics For All groups, partners and friends from across the Network came together to share experiences, celebrate the changes already happening and explore what more we could achieve by working alongside one another.
As our Network continues to grow, the Gathering offered a valuable opportunity to strengthen connections across different parts of our work, discover shared ambitions and imagine the future we want to create together.
And with a little help from some cardboard boxes, colourful creations and plenty of imagination, that’s exactly what we set out to do!
Imagining a different future
We began by sharing stories of change. Voices from across the Network reflected on the differences they had seen through their involvement in Poverty Truth work, reminding us that change can take many forms, from personal shifts in understanding to wider changes in organisations and communities.
Then we turned our attention to the future.
Building on an exercise recently explored by our Economics for All groups, we invited everyone to imagine stepping outside their front door into a world where poverty no longer existed. What would they see? What would feel different? What might become possible?
In true Poverty Truth style, those conversations soon turned into something wonderfully creative!
Armed with cardboard boxes, colourful paper, balloons and plenty of imagination, groups brought their visions to life in a ‘museum of the future’.
Among the exhibits was a food bank that had gone out of business, a ‘Boat of Hope’ where children could use their own voices to navigate a safe future, and a ‘Seat of Connection and Tree of Hope’, inviting strangers to become friends.
Despite the different creations, common themes emerged:
- Community
- Kindness
- Belonging and equality for all
- Opportunity
- Accessibility
- Green spaces and getting back to nature
Recognising the steps we are already taking
On Thursday, we returned to our imagined future, this time asking how we might get there.
A lake and stepping stones became our visual guide, representing the journey towards the future we had imagined and the changes already happening across the Network.
And there was plenty to celebrate!
With 52 Poverty Truth Commissions having taken place over the years, including five launches and five closing events this year alone, our Network continues to grow, with around 48 locations now connected to Poverty Truth work or exploring the possibility of establishing a Commission.
We also heard about some of the exciting work happening beyond local Commissions through our national Amplify groups, which bring Commissioners together to explore issues requiring wider change.
This included our Neurodiversity Diagnosis and Support group’s visit to an Adult ADHD Service in Leeds, exploring how people can receive meaningful support while waiting for a diagnosis.
We heard about the Cost of Living group’s work highlighting the unfair price differences between larger Tesco supermarkets and smaller Tesco stores, and shared a powerful film created by our Disability and Social Security group, bringing people’s experiences of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) into the national Timms Review.
There was also an opportunity to hear about our Economics for All and Politics Alongside work and our exciting emerging partnership with Citizens Advice, which we’re looking forward to sharing more about soon.
Together, these examples offered a reminder that the journey towards change is already well underway.
Making the journey together
Of course, knowing where we want to go is one thing. Making the journey together is another!
Thursday afternoon brought another burst of creativity as groups imagined setting off on a 50-year journey towards a world without poverty.
What would we need to take with us? What would keep us going? How would we navigate difficult moments and celebrate the good ones?
There were decorated tote bags, sounds to accompany the journey and even a fashion parade to showcase everyone’s creations.
Beneath all the fun were important conversations about the relationships, values and shared commitments needed to sustain change over time.
And the fun didn’t stop there! Thursday evening saw the return of some friendly competition with a Taskmaster-inspired challenge, hosted by our colleague Ally. There was plenty of laughter and silliness, before an unexpected musical finale when Brian, a member of the Poverty Truth Community in Scotland, brought out his Mandolin and an impromptu dance broke out.
The sunshine was also on our side this year, giving everyone the chance to enjoy the beautiful grounds at The Hayes, take a wander around the lake or simply catch up with old friends and make new ones.
Creating ripples of change
By Friday, our attention turned to what comes next.
We explored how we can continue growing as a Network of Commissioners, strengthening connections, welcoming more people and identifying the shared issues we want to work on together.
Returning once more to our (arts and crafts) lake, everyone was invited to think about the ripples of change they wanted to create.
Each person wrote their name on a pebble and placed it in the lake, representing where they hoped to make a difference. At the end of our time together, they were invited to take their pebble home as a reminder of the part they could play.
It was a simple but fitting way to close three days that had been full of conversations, new connections, creativity and possibility.
Because making change together isn’t about one person, one Commission or one organisation having all the answers. It’s about the wisdom, experience and influence we bring when we work alongside one another.
And if this year’s Gathering reminded us of anything, it’s that we’re already making those ripples. The opportunity now is to see just how far they can reach.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, shared their experiences, embraced the creativity and helped make this year’s Gathering such a special few days.