With 2021 census data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealing staggering differences in deprivation in areas across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, the BCP Poverty Truth Commission is set to share its insight and invites ideas at a public event on Thursday 6th July.
More than 51 per cent of households in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are affected by deprivation, with some communities in the region being in the top 2 per cent of the UK’s most deprived areas, in contrast with others that lie in the top 1 percent of least deprived.
With £50,000 of financial support from Talbot Village Trust, a grant-giving charity that supports worthy causes across east Dorset, the BCP Poverty Truth Commission project was launched in November 2021 to strengthen the voice of people in poverty. The project seeks to address the persistent problems of deprivation, unlock creative solutions to systems and policies and bring about deep culture change.
Comprising 12 community commissioners, local people who know what it is like to struggle against poverty, and 13 civic and business commissioners, the Commission has worked to identify urgent priorities that need tackling. These priorities and how they are being addressed will be discussed at the event on Thursday 6th July from 11am to 1pm at the Bournemouth Life Centre in Moordown.
Angela Fendley from the BCP PTC, says: “Talbot Village Trust’s donation has been pivotal in enabling the PTC to do its job. This has included gathering and supporting both groups of commissioners who have met regularly, building relationships of trust and confidence between people, identifying and exploring urgent priorities that have originated from the lives and stories of the community commissioners. This ultimately develops ideas that will inform changes to the policies and systems to benefit others who may find themselves in similar difficult situations.”
Sarah, a community commissioner, adds: “I’ve been really blessed to be part of the Commission. I’ve been given a sense of purpose and a voice. It’s so good to know that we are all making a difference to our BCP community. I’m looking forward to seeing the impact that the Poverty Truth Commission will have on the wellbeing of local people.”
The free event invites people to come and hear first-hand from the commissioners about a different way of working and to discover what is emerging from the Commission to help improve the lives of people struggling against poverty in the area.
Caroline Cooban, CEO at Talbot Village Trust says: “The Commission’s role is critically important in helping policymakers, stakeholders and residents understand the nature of poverty and deprivation within communities across our conurbation. With demand on local services increasing to help with the cost-of-living crisis, the Commission’s work is ever more vital.
“As part of a national movement for change, the Commission adapts to explore the unique needs of its locality; delving deeply into local challenges. This insight offers the potential to bring about social change, build transformative relationships, networks and connections, and to explore new thinking around the causes of poverty.”
To attend the event please register for free by Monday 3rd July via Poverty Truth Commission BCP Celebration Event Tickets, Thu 6 Jul 2023 at 11:00 | Eventbrite
Talbot Village Trust awards up to £1million every year, supporting various causes to youth organisations, education groups and community-focused projects. The charity is encouraging further local causes to apply for funding ahead of its application deadline on 31st July.
For more information visit www.talbotvillagetrust.org