“I
think in an environment where people feel they count for nothing the Poverty
Truth Commission gives people a voice, to make them feel they are worth
something”
Tricia,
Commissioner with the Poverty Truth Commission
On Saturday 21, June, from
2pm until 4:30pm, at the Woodside Hall in Glasgow, the Poverty Truth Commission
will be Turning up the Volume on Poverty. It will be a fantastic opportunity to
listen to, and understand, an inclusive model for addressing poverty, which
places those from marginalised communities at its heart.
However, to first get a
real flavour of the Commission and how it works, you should look no further
than those individuals at the core of the organisation: the commissioners.
These
are folk with experience of poverty and social exclusion, and earlier
today I had a wee chat with four of them, Cathy, Darren, Tricia and Marie, to
find out more.
When asked why they had
joined the commission, all four expressed the idea of speaking up for those who
feel marginalised and ignored by the mainstream.
“I
believe the Poverty Truth gets to the grassroots of poverty and also they help
others irrespective of what the other people do for a living”. Cathy
The commissioners also spoke honestly and frankly of how
the work has effected them personally. Darren said it had had a strong effect
on him:
“It
has been a real empowering process. Very hard, don’t get me wrong, very hard,
but at the same time I understand my poverty a lot more, which was never there
previous.”
The conversation concluded by turning to the event in
June and the future of the commission. All four were clear that the message of
the Poverty Truth Commission is needed to be heard by everyone across society.
Marie said it wasn’t just for those in power but:
“the
people that are struggling, I want to hear the message, so that they can grow
stronger, to have a voice…to give them strength, to keep fighting”
If you are passionate about tackling poverty and want to
hear real insights from those with experience then come along in June as we aim
to Turn Up the Volume on Poverty.
To register at this free
event click here; call 0141 248 2911; or email
info@povertytruthcommission.org #TurnItUp2014
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