People from the local community who have struggled against poverty (community commissioners), bringing with them their own expertise, life experiences and wisdom, and forming a commission together with an equal number of local civic and business leaders (civic and business commissioners).

To build relationships of trust between the two groups of commissioners. To understand the nature of poverty, its causes and develop creative ways to address them.

This approach can use a range of conversational styles. Facilitation of the commission gatherings is rooted in the Art of Hosting practice.

Key elements in holding a poverty truth commission:

• Listening deeply. taking time to listen. Speaking with intent. Listening with attention
• Being brave. Joining in
• Bringing your whole self to the process and speaking from your own experience and position, rather than attempting to represent others, whichever commissioner you are
• Tending to the wellbeing of the group
• Building strong relationships. Lunching together. community commissioners and civic and business commissioners meeting together for coffee outside of commission gatherings
• Sitting in circle. Check-ins and check-outs. Use of listening pieces
• Shifting power. Starting with what matters to community commissioners. Community commissioners welcoming civic and business commissioners into their space
• Slowing down before going to action.

Training is provided as an integral part of this approach.

This is an ongoing approach. We advise allocating at least18 months for engagement.

The cost of running a commission will vary depending on the organisation that hosts it. It could be hosted within a council, a CVS, a faith organisation, or in the case of BCP, a local independent CIC (Courage to Thrive).

It costs approximately £150,000 to run over two years, however the network will be able to provide further information on this. The budget includes paying a dedicated team of part-time facilitators and a project coordinator, and ensuring community commissioners are not out of pocket financially by taking part. This covers childcare costs, travel and loss of earnings.