Alongside the ongoing work of the second Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Poverty Truth Commission, Community Commissioners from the first Commission have been developing something new and unique – the Poverty Truth Wisdom Lab.

One of the things we often speak about within the Poverty Truth Network is the ‘ripple effect’ of a Commission; the way relationships, learning and ways of working continue beyond the life of the Commission itself, shaping new conversations and influencing wider spaces over time. The Wisdom Lab is a great example of what that can look like in practice.

What is The Wisdom Lab?

Developed and led with Community Commissioners from the first BCP Poverty Truth Commission, the Wisdom Lab has grown from a shared desire to take Poverty Truth learning into new spaces — listening deeply, slowing down, building relationships, shifting power, and being led by those with lived wisdom of the struggle against poverty.

The Wisdom Lab supports organisations and teams who want to grow more relational, compassionate and effective ways of working alongside people with first-hand experience of poverty.

Mentoring programme

One of the newest developments is the launch of ‘Seeing with Fresh Eyes’ – a reverse mentoring programme which is currently in the process of linking six ‘Wisdom Sharers,’ Community Commissioners from the first Commission, with six senior NHS leaders acting as ‘Wisdom Seekers.’ The programme will create space for leaders to learn directly from people with first-hand experience of the struggle against poverty, helping inform and shape their own practice.

Find out more about the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Poverty Truth Commission on their website.