The South Tyneside Poverty Truth Commission recently marked an important moment in its journey, with its launch event. In this reflection, Facilitator Lesley Ann Armour shares how the day unfolded, as Community Commissioners bravely shared their experiences, supported one another, and opened up meaningful conversations with attendees.
Launch day was a day of nerves and bravery. Supporting each other as they climbed the stage and told their story. Words of encouragement continually offered and accepted. A community sharing their life experiences with an audience of decision makers, friends and family.
Preparing for the launch
Preparing for the launch since March 2025, the Commissioners spent time getting to know each other and preparing their stories. Local author Helen Aitchison supported timelines and the writing of the Commissioners’ stories, whilst Workie Ticket, a North Shields Theatre Company, comprised of JoJo and Simon, supported the Commissioners in how to tell their stories on the stage.
Alongside the story-telling, Workie Ticket recorded soundscapes of the Commissioners’ voices. The soundscape that opened the event was a recording of one spoken word from each Commissioner about what poverty means to them. Examples of words that were recorded were “anger” and “disadvantage”. The background ‘music’ to the words was the sound of a kettle slowly beginning to boil, upping the tension in the room, as the kettle boiled and the spoken word quickened in pace, then slowing down until the audience was totally engaged and listening.
There were four soundscapes altogether that introduced the Commissioners to the audience. One of our Commissioners is from Iran. He wanted to tell his story but wished to remain anonymous, because of his status in the UK, and so the soundscape was a perfect vehicle for him. We were also able to share a slide-show of his photographs of places that have been important to him in his life.
More from the day
The order of the day and the hosting of the event was the role of Sue Gill, who introduced the Commissioners to the stage to tell their story. She also facilitated the table activities at intervals, for the audience to participate in. All the activities facilitated conversation around poverty.
Feedback came in the form of respect for the courage and dignity that the Commissioners had shown throughout the launch, and the emotive value of lived experience. In conversation after the event, the stories that people remembered and discussed with me were about women who had suffered abuse, unfairly lost jobs, the pride in wanting to provide for their families and the inability to do so, how disempowering that can be, and the unfairness of not being listened to, sometimes repeatedly throughout someone’s life. There was also learning in the room – for example, learning about what it means to be an economic migrant and living in poverty. People said they “had no idea”.
Looking ahead
The launch was successful in that we had a number of people come forward to be Civic Commissioners after taking part in the event, and listening to the Community Commissioners.
Success for the Commissioners, was that as they reached out to hearts and minds, they were listened to and they facilitated thoughts and discussion. Their greatest wish being, that their first-hand experiences of poverty will go on to inform the practice of the professionals in the room.
My office attended the Poverty Truth Commission to hear from those who courageously shared their lived experience of poverty and how that has shaped their lives. I want to thank all of those who shared their experience with the Commission, in particular my constituent Lydia. It is vital that voices like Lydia’s and the other Commissioners are heard and centred, as we work together to put an end to poverty of all kinds. Thank you again to Lesley, all those who shared their stories, and the brilliant organisations that worked to ensure this event could take place and for the important work you do. Kate Osborne MP (Quote taken from Facebook)