Resolve Poverty Conference Agenda

Our conference is structured to consider both the forthcoming child poverty strategy itself and anti-poverty efforts on the ground. At the keynote talk and panel discussion, leading experts will explore what the recent change in government and new anti-poverty commitments mean for us, while breakout sessions will equip you with knowledge and insights into what can practically be done in local areas. You will also have time for networking with other attendees from across the UK.

9:15am Registration opens

10:00am Welcome

10:25am Keynote talk

11:05am Break

11:15am Morning breakouts

There are synergies between local anti-poverty work and the health-led focus on health inequalities. But do these agendas talk to one another enough? Could the health system take the lead in driving anti-poverty initiatives locally, regionally and nationally? Join us to explore how the role of health in addressing poverty could be strengthened and add value to your work.

  • Sarah Woolnough Chief Executive, The King’s Fund
  • Dr Natalija Atas Senior Lecturer, Liverpool Hope University and Co-Founder, Poverty Research & Advocacy Network
  • Dr Claire Humphries Mayoral Regions Programme Delivery Manager, West Midlands Combined Authority

This session will explore the immediate and future outlook for local welfare provision, focusing on the principles for effective local welfare systems and the roles of various stakeholders. Speakers will discuss pressing challenges, including the impact of the latest developments in the Household Support Fund and the current economic climate. The session will also look ahead to what the future of local welfare provison should be, with speakers sharing their perspectives and drawing on insights from the day’s discussion and their expertise.

  • Vicky Powers Public Health Practitioner, Derbyshire County Council
  • Arianne Clarke Network Policy and Research Officer, Trussell
  • Ramzi Suleiman Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Carers Trust
  • Fahmida Rahman Senior Policy Officer, Greater London Authority

Problems with housing and poverty have a longstanding interconnectedness. This session will share good practice around supporting individuals and communities experiencing poverty and housing struggles. It will explore examples of organisations seeking to tackle insufficient and inadequate housing and homelessness, through both system level change, and supporting people on the ground in community settings.

  • Rachel Summerscales Project Officer, GM Community Led Homes 
  • Vicky Leigh Manchester Communication Academy
  • Mike Hughes Project Manager, GM Housing First

This session explores how the transformative power of lived experience can drive practical change and impactful action. It looks at different approaches to lived experience involvement in programme and policy development. It also explores the impact involvement in such projects has on individuals with lived experience and the responsibilities of the organisation engaging them.

  • Sarah Grant Policy Officer, Trafford Council

This session draws on multi-sector expertise to explore the impact and experience of poverty in the UK asylum system. It examines the dual aspects of stigma and disentitlement in asylum policy, from a perspective of lived experience, evidence-based practice and historical research. The session will generate discussions of practical, localised interventions, as well as advocating for systemic changes to reimagine and redesign current and future asylum policy and practice.

  • Agatha Phiri Founder, Agatha’s Space and lived experience expert
  • Lived experience expert from Growing Rights Instead of Poverty Partnership (GRIPP)
  • Rivka Shaw Communications Manager and Policy Officer, Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU)
  • Jo Walby Chief Executive, Mustard Tree

12:25pm Lunch

1:30pm Welcome back

1:45pm Afternoon breakouts

At this session, Resolve Poverty and the University of York will launch new research exploring the role of regions and localities in realising Labour’s mission to end child poverty. With a new Child Poverty Strategy due to be launched in the spring, we’ll explore what the role of regions and localities could be and we’ll hear from local authorities at different stages of their anti-poverty work.

  • John Hudson Professor of Social Policy, University of York
  • Clare Maskrey Principal Policy Officer, Bolton Council
  • Sam Blyth Strategic Manager, City of York Council
  • Joanna Unthank Delivery Lead (Child Poverty Reduction), North East Combined Authority

This session will explore the immediate and future outlook for local welfare provision, focusing on the principles for effective local welfare systems and the roles of various stakeholders. Speakers will discuss pressing challenges, including the impact of the latest developments in the Household Support Fund and the current economic climate. The session will also look ahead to what the future of local welfare provison should be, with speakers sharing their perspectives and drawing on insights from the day’s discussion and their expertise.

  • Vicky Powers Public Health Practitioner, Derbyshire County Council
  • Arianne Clarke Network Policy and Research Officer, Trussell
  • Ramzi Suleiman Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Carers Trust
  • Fahmida Rahman Senior Policy Officer, Greater London Authority

This session explores how the transformative power of lived experience can drive practical change and impactful action. It looks at different approaches to lived experience involvement in programme and policy development. It also explores the impact involvement in such projects has on individuals with lived experience and the responsibilities of the organisation engaging them.

  • Sarah Grant Policy Officer, Trafford Council

This session draws on multi-sector expertise to explore the impact and experience of poverty in the UK asylum system. It examines the dual aspects of stigma and disentitlement in asylum policy, from a perspective of lived experience, evidence-based practice and historical research. The session will generate discussions of practical, localised interventions, as well as advocating for systemic changes to reimagine and redesign current and future asylum policy and practice.

  • Agatha Phiri Founder, Agatha’s Space and lived experience expert
  • Lived experience expert from Growing Rights Instead of Poverty Partnership (GRIPP)
  • Ben Gilchrist Chief Executive, Caritas Diocese of Shrewsbury
  • Rivka Shaw Communications Manager and Policy Officer, Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU)
  • Jo Walby Chief Executive, Mustard Tree

2:45pm Break

3:00pm Panel discussion

4:00pm Closing talk

  • Graham Whitham Chief Executive, Resolve Poverty
  • James Wolfe Director for Poverty, Families and Disadvantage at Department for Work & Pensions

4:15pm Closing remarks

4:30pm Networking drinks (until 6pm)

We encourage all attendees to stay with us for networking following the conference. The networking will take place in the venue and free drinks will be available (alcoholic and non-alcoholic).