About
East Surrey Poverty Truth Commission
The Poverty Truth Commission is integral to our vision for a poverty-free future
We are committed to ensuring that the people who have experienced financial hardship are central to decisions about how to tackle it.
We set up our second Poverty Truth Commission in May 2023, bringing together a group of Community Commissioners who have used the Foodbank or Pantry with a group of Civic & Business Commissioners from local organisations who are responsible for making decisions that affect people in poverty.
Useful Links:
Poverty Truth Commission Final Report April 2025
The PTC so far
Through sharing people’s stories and experiences of financial hardship, the Commissioners identified a number of major issues affecting people in poverty and are working together to find long-term solutions to these problems:
- Lack of Joined Up Community Support
- Mental health & poverty
- Domestic abuse & poverty
The Commission’s findings were shared with a wider audience at an uplifting and inspirational Celebration Event in November 2024, using interactive games, a drama sketch, and short interviews to get everyone thinking and talking about the key themes.
The journey continues…
We will continue to work with both the Community and Civic Commissioners to implement and embed the key recommendations from the PTC, including:
- Developing a healthy relationships education resource for schools.
- Establishing an online platform for making referrals between agencies.
- Encouraging the development of more community hubs.
- Running an awareness campaign to highlight local mental health care support.
- Disseminating our poverty awareness training resources.
As a result of their engagement with the PTC, many local organisations have signed our End Poverty Pledge and made specific pledges to help tackle poverty. Here are some examples:
“If we make a referral to another service, make sure we support the client through this and introduce them, rather than doing it cold.”
“Link up with other housing associations to fund healthy relationships programmes for schools.”
“Include those we work with in a meaningful way in the design and delivery of all our activities.”
“I am a part time drama teacher at a local school, and I would like the whole school to be made aware of these issues.”
For more information about the End Poverty Pledge, please visit: End Poverty Surrey – Good Company