By Daniel Oliver, Head of Programmes at Resolve Poverty
Resolve Poverty has been developing the meaningful engagement of people with experience of poverty in decision-making systems.
Local responses to poverty are significantly strengthened by ensuring that people and communities who have experience of poverty are involved in decisions that affect their lives. In recent months we have continued to strengthen our approach to lived experience engagement, building upon previous activities including facilitating the Tameside Poverty Truth Commission.
Oldham Poverty Action Network (OPAN)
Working in partnership with Action Together, we facilitate the lived experience group within the Oldham Poverty Action Network.
The group meets regularly to discuss their priorities for change in Oldham, and to develop their approach to achieving this change. This has included informing policies and services within the local social housing sector and adult social care.
The group are also in the process of creating regular podcasts to share the experiences of people across Oldham. To find out more about this please contact Jon Sands on jons@resolvepoverty.org.
Bolton Anti-Poverty Strategy
Earlier this year we led a series of engagement sessions with people living in Bolton, to inform the development of an anti-poverty strategy by Bolton Council and partner organisations.
We met with a diverse group of people from across Bolton, including those with experience of homelessness, long term health conditions and domestic abuse. This group shared their stories as well as their priorities and ideas for positive change, particularly relating to accessing services in Bolton.
The recommendations and stories of some of those involved can be found in Bolton’s new anti-poverty strategy. We continue to work with Bolton Council and other partners to deliver on these recommendations.
Poverty Reference Group
We are recruiting to the Greater Manchester Poverty Reference Group. This will bring together people with experience of poverty across the city region, reflecting the diverse communities of Greater Manchester to inform positive change.
The group will share stories and ideas to inform the strategic response and direct activities of Resolve Poverty, as well as meeting the lived experience engagement needs of partners across Greater Manchester.
Please use this link to express an interest in joining the Poverty Reference Group. Thank you to those who have already expressed an interest.
Lived experience engagement in your area
We are keen to support organisations with their lived experience engagement needs. This includes ensuring that this is meaningful engagement, and recognises the time and experience shared by those affected by poverty.
Please contact us to speak about lived experience needs in your locality. You can contact daniel@resolvepoverty.org to discuss further. Thank you.