The evaluation team from the University of Hull commissioned My Pockets, a film production company and arts organisation based in East Yorkshire, to work with the community and civic commissioners to tell the story of the first Hull Poverty Truth Commission [HPTC].
The film identifies the process as an ‘engine switch’ not a ‘paint job’ - this is about a participatory needs-led approach that shifts power through equitable trusting relationships to create transformative systems change. This is co-production in action.
The HPTC, is part of a national Poverty Truth Network, seeking to answer the question, ‘What if people who struggled against poverty were involved in making decisions about tackling poverty?’
Community commissioners have experience of poverty, and civic commissioners are leaders in organisations within Hull and East Yorkshire, who have access to systems and services that can sometimes impact experiences of poverty. Together their voices narrate this film.
Relationships and trust grew supported by facilitation from The Forum, Timebank and Groundwork, who were part of the consortium of the voluntary and community sector, which convened the commission.
This film is part of a novel two-year journey of evaluation conducted using Participatory Action Research (PAR) and Transformative Participatory Evaluation (TPE). Its foundations align with the ethos of the Poverty Truth Commission and respond to a long-term relationship between the commissioners, facilitators and us, the evaluators, based on trust, commitment, and mutual respect, valuing everyone’s unique perspectives and contributions.
We are proud to share this insightful and inspirational film.
If you want to know more about the HPTC evaluation, please contact Gill (g.c.hughes@hull.ac.uk) and Juan (J.Winter@hull.ac.uk).