The Closing Event of the Sheffield Poverty Truth Commission was a deeply moving celebration of courage, honesty, and hope.

It was a night filled with lessons, stories, and a shared vision for a brighter, fairer Sheffield — one where systems truly serve people and every voice is valued.

From the moment our Commissioners took the stage to the final reflections of the evening, the room was alive with empathy, understanding, and connection.

Thank you to everyone involved

Our gratitude goes to the incredible Sarah Smizz, who live-painted the spirit of the evening with such beauty and insight, and to Kate Jenkinson PhD, FCIPD, whose powerful spoken word performance reminded us that storytelling is how we heal, connect, and move forward together.

A heartfelt thank you to our Steering Group:
Pam Daniel (Chair), Cat Arnold, Olivier Tsemo, Joy Arnott, Chris Keaton, Colin Havard, James Martin, Lucy Warren, Charlotte Killeya, and Debbie Mathews, for your leadership, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to making this process possible.

To our Coordinator, Ryan Wileman, and Facilitators Andy Freeman and Zara Makinta, thank you for holding this journey with such care and clarity, creating the space where truth could be spoken and transformation could begin.

To our Community Commissioners — Naomi Azeez, Sarah Clayton, Jonathan Davis, Dean Flower, Brittany Jackson, and Jess Thompson — your honesty, strength, and lived experiences have been at the heart of everything. You reminded us that systems change begins with human stories.

To our Civic Commissioners, who listened, learned, and stood with us in partnership:
John Barber, Sarah Bawden, Fran Belbin, Stephen Betts, Angela Foulkes CBE, Larry Gold, Anthony Hinchliffe, Kate Josephs CB, Martin McKervey, Darren Pearce, Lauren Poultney, Katrina Ritchie, and Leon Smith.

Thank you for your openness and your shared belief that Sheffield can lead the way in building systems rooted in dignity, empathy, and understanding.

Thank you also to Manor and Castle Development Trust Limited for hosting the Commission’s administration and finances, and for your steadfast support throughout this journey.

Looking ahead

This isn’t the end. It is just the beginning.

As we move into the embedding phase, we are ready to turn recommendations into action, carry these lessons forward, and build the kind of Sheffield that leaves no one behind.

Real change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when we come together to listen, act, and believe in something better.

Here’s to a Sheffield that works for everyone.