Changing Realities
@changingrealities.bsky.social
Documenting & seeking to improve life on a low-income during the cost of living crisis. Funded by @finan_fairness Partnership with
@cpagUK changingrealities.org/
@cpagUK changingrealities.org/
Pinned
This autumn will see the publication of the first UK child poverty strategy in many years. It is a time-limited and vital opportunity to make real and lasting difference to the lives of the 4.5 million children currently living in poverty. In this new report, co-produced with IPPR, we set out a realistic and targeted agenda for change. Now is the time to take sustainable and effective action on child poverty, working with the everyday experiences of families who know what would make a difference to them and their lives.
changingrealities.org
Been lots of debate about what might turn the dial on child poverty. But we hear far less from families in poverty. Our new briefing sets out a blueprint for a successful child poverty strategy, grounded in experiences of hardship
changingrealities.org/writings/get...
Pls read + share this 🧵
changingrealities.org/writings/get...
Pls read + share this 🧵
"Children are our future and will help this country thrive and grow, but to do this they must have the best possible start in life that they can have."
Read our wonderful blog from Brian on his experience at the House of Lords Child Poverty roundtable 👉 changingrealities.org/blog/hope-on...
Read our wonderful blog from Brian on his experience at the House of Lords Child Poverty roundtable 👉 changingrealities.org/blog/hope-on...
This morning, I was invited to a meeting in The House of Lords, along with Changing Realities, two other participants and members from other organisations. The roundtable – chaired by Baroness Ruth Lister and Professor Ruth Patrick – was also attended by other Lords, senior civil servants and Changing Realities funders. We discussed the government’s Child Poverty Strategy, which will hopefully be announced shortly after the budget in November.
changingrealities.org
November 5, 2025 at 9:45 AM
"Children are our future and will help this country thrive and grow, but to do this they must have the best possible start in life that they can have."
Read our wonderful blog from Brian on his experience at the House of Lords Child Poverty roundtable 👉 changingrealities.org/blog/hope-on...
Read our wonderful blog from Brian on his experience at the House of Lords Child Poverty roundtable 👉 changingrealities.org/blog/hope-on...
Happy Birthday to our very own @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social 🎂
I feel incredibly lucky to get to work with inspiring people on both @changingrealities.bsky.social and @safety-nets.bsky.social & to be part of pushing for real and lasting change to make social security in the UK fit for purpose.
November 5, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Happy Birthday to our very own @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social 🎂
On 23rd October, we headed to a Child Poverty Strategy roundtable hosted by Baroness Lister at the HoL. Our participants delivered powerful testimonies & their speech can be read here📣: changingrealities.org/writings/cha...
@uofgussp.bsky.social
@ippr.org
@cpaguk.bsky.social
@uofgussp.bsky.social
@ippr.org
@cpaguk.bsky.social
The core of our work has not changed, but we have. We have spent, in some cases, years together, uplifting our voices and learning how to be part of a movement for change, and we are proud to be here to represent our work and the people within.
changingrealities.org
October 31, 2025 at 3:20 PM
On 23rd October, we headed to a Child Poverty Strategy roundtable hosted by Baroness Lister at the HoL. Our participants delivered powerful testimonies & their speech can be read here📣: changingrealities.org/writings/cha...
@uofgussp.bsky.social
@ippr.org
@cpaguk.bsky.social
@uofgussp.bsky.social
@ippr.org
@cpaguk.bsky.social
Reposted by Changing Realities
Parents and carers of @changingrealities.bsky.social are doing essential work to bring child poverty issues to the public eye as the govt prepare to publish their Child Poverty Strategy. Powerful words from @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social on scrapping the two child limit in this popular substack.
Excellent piece by @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social on government discussions about binning the two child limit, which is driving more families into poverty.
Ruth leads @changingrealities.bsky.social - a collaboration between over UK parents and carers on a low-income.
samf.substack.com/p/the-worst-...
Ruth leads @changingrealities.bsky.social - a collaboration between over UK parents and carers on a low-income.
samf.substack.com/p/the-worst-...
"The worst social policy ever"
We have a couple of bonus guest posts over the next week.
samf.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Parents and carers of @changingrealities.bsky.social are doing essential work to bring child poverty issues to the public eye as the govt prepare to publish their Child Poverty Strategy. Powerful words from @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social on scrapping the two child limit in this popular substack.
Today, we attended a roundtable at the HoL hosted by Baroness Ruth Lister on the subject of the Child Poverty Strategy. CR participants, inc. Jo & Brian, delivered powerful testimonies, using the space to push for an ambitious Strategy that genuinely confronts the root causes of child poverty. ✊
October 23, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Today, we attended a roundtable at the HoL hosted by Baroness Ruth Lister on the subject of the Child Poverty Strategy. CR participants, inc. Jo & Brian, delivered powerful testimonies, using the space to push for an ambitious Strategy that genuinely confronts the root causes of child poverty. ✊
Our participant James has written an excellent piece for @scotsman.com. ✏️
"The fight for true social justice is long and arduous. But for that hour or so, in that grand room, we were not just the ‘marginalised’ or ‘the beneficiaries’, we were the experts."
Read: www.scotsman.com/news/politic...
"The fight for true social justice is long and arduous. But for that hour or so, in that grand room, we were not just the ‘marginalised’ or ‘the beneficiaries’, we were the experts."
Read: www.scotsman.com/news/politic...
October 20, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Our participant James has written an excellent piece for @scotsman.com. ✏️
"The fight for true social justice is long and arduous. But for that hour or so, in that grand room, we were not just the ‘marginalised’ or ‘the beneficiaries’, we were the experts."
Read: www.scotsman.com/news/politic...
"The fight for true social justice is long and arduous. But for that hour or so, in that grand room, we were not just the ‘marginalised’ or ‘the beneficiaries’, we were the experts."
Read: www.scotsman.com/news/politic...
A couple of weeks ago, CR participant Brian spoke to @newstatesman1913.bsky.social about the continuation of the cost-of-living crisis, which he feels politicians have "completely pushed to one side." Read more: www.newstatesman.com/politics/eco...
@uofglasgow.bsky.social
@uofgussp.bsky.social
@uofglasgow.bsky.social
@uofgussp.bsky.social
Energy bills rise while Westminster talks immigration
Why have our politicians forgotten about the cost-of-living crisis?
www.newstatesman.com
October 17, 2025 at 9:31 AM
A couple of weeks ago, CR participant Brian spoke to @newstatesman1913.bsky.social about the continuation of the cost-of-living crisis, which he feels politicians have "completely pushed to one side." Read more: www.newstatesman.com/politics/eco...
@uofglasgow.bsky.social
@uofgussp.bsky.social
@uofglasgow.bsky.social
@uofgussp.bsky.social
Reposted by Changing Realities
Looking forward to discussing the vital need for improved support for children and young people with send with @theifs.bsky.social @helenmiller.bsky.social & colleagues, drawing on our own recent @changingrealities.bsky.social briefing changingrealities.org/writings/wha...
October 2, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Looking forward to discussing the vital need for improved support for children and young people with send with @theifs.bsky.social @helenmiller.bsky.social & colleagues, drawing on our own recent @changingrealities.bsky.social briefing changingrealities.org/writings/wha...
Reposted by Changing Realities
Today Keir Starmer pledged to take action on child poverty. The @changingrealities.bsky.social group - led by @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social - empowers parents and carers to influence change. Single parent Jonny calls for a priority shift in this @bigissue.com feature.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/sing...
www.bigissue.com/opinion/sing...
I'm a single dad asking Keir Starmer to do more to tackle child poverty
Jonny Roberts is a single parent with two children. He is speaking at a Child Poverty Action Group event at the Labour Party Conference.
www.bigissue.com
September 30, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Today Keir Starmer pledged to take action on child poverty. The @changingrealities.bsky.social group - led by @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social - empowers parents and carers to influence change. Single parent Jonny calls for a priority shift in this @bigissue.com feature.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/sing...
www.bigissue.com/opinion/sing...
A father from CR attended the Labour Conference this week. He reports of "a sense of duty to speak to my own personal experiences in order to bring some emotion – but also some everyday reality – to the urgent challenge of driving record rates of child poverty down".
labourlist.org/2025/09/chil...
labourlist.org/2025/09/chil...
'Bringing emotion and reality to the debate on child poverty.': one conference attendee's experience - LabourList
Jonny Roberts has come to conference to share his experience of being a single dad - and call for Labour to take bold action on child poverty.
labourlist.org
September 30, 2025 at 3:09 PM
A father from CR attended the Labour Conference this week. He reports of "a sense of duty to speak to my own personal experiences in order to bring some emotion – but also some everyday reality – to the urgent challenge of driving record rates of child poverty down".
labourlist.org/2025/09/chil...
labourlist.org/2025/09/chil...
Jonny from CR spoke on a CPAG panel at the Labour Conference today. As published in @bigissue.com, Jonny says "The most depressing truth about child poverty isn’t how many children are in it, it’s how easy it is for the government to lift so many out."
www.bigissue.com/opinion/sing...
www.bigissue.com/opinion/sing...
I'm a single dad asking Keir Starmer to do more to tackle child poverty
Jonny Roberts is a single parent with two children. He is speaking at a Child Poverty Action Group event at the Labour Party Conference.
www.bigissue.com
September 30, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Jonny from CR spoke on a CPAG panel at the Labour Conference today. As published in @bigissue.com, Jonny says "The most depressing truth about child poverty isn’t how many children are in it, it’s how easy it is for the government to lift so many out."
www.bigissue.com/opinion/sing...
www.bigissue.com/opinion/sing...
Reposted by Changing Realities
labourlist.org/2025/09/chil... Great piece by Jonny Roberts of @changingrealities.bsky.social But looks like the battle to end the pernicious two child limit goes on
'Bringing emotion and reality to the debate on child poverty.': one conference attendee's experience - LabourList
Jonny Roberts has come to conference to share his experience of being a single dad - and call for Labour to take bold action on child poverty.
labourlist.org
September 30, 2025 at 2:09 PM
labourlist.org/2025/09/chil... Great piece by Jonny Roberts of @changingrealities.bsky.social But looks like the battle to end the pernicious two child limit goes on
Reposted by Changing Realities
‘An announcement on [the two child limit] at conference would bring the house down’
Jonny Roberts from @changingrealities.bsky.social saying it as it is in @labourlist.bsky.social ahead of Keir Starmer’s speech
labourlist.org/2025/09/chil...
Jonny Roberts from @changingrealities.bsky.social saying it as it is in @labourlist.bsky.social ahead of Keir Starmer’s speech
labourlist.org/2025/09/chil...
'Bringing emotion and reality to the debate on child poverty.': one conference attendee's experience - LabourList
Jonny Roberts has come to conference to share his experience of being a single dad - and call for Labour to take bold action on child poverty.
labourlist.org
September 30, 2025 at 1:09 PM
‘An announcement on [the two child limit] at conference would bring the house down’
Jonny Roberts from @changingrealities.bsky.social saying it as it is in @labourlist.bsky.social ahead of Keir Starmer’s speech
labourlist.org/2025/09/chil...
Jonny Roberts from @changingrealities.bsky.social saying it as it is in @labourlist.bsky.social ahead of Keir Starmer’s speech
labourlist.org/2025/09/chil...
After a meeting with the First Minister, John Swinney, about tackling child poverty in Scotland, Changing Realities participant, Gloria, writes about the delivery plan's theme of whole family support, starting with her broken bed ... @uofgussp.bsky.social @uofglasgow.bsky.social @bigissue.com ⬇️ 📝
Gloria Odhi, a participant of Changing Realities, shared her story with the Scottish first minister with the hope of inspiring change.
I couldn't afford to fix my broken bed. People in poverty like me need help with the essentials
www.bigissue.com
September 30, 2025 at 8:48 AM
After a meeting with the First Minister, John Swinney, about tackling child poverty in Scotland, Changing Realities participant, Gloria, writes about the delivery plan's theme of whole family support, starting with her broken bed ... @uofgussp.bsky.social @uofglasgow.bsky.social @bigissue.com ⬇️ 📝
Today, we're at Labour Party Conference where Jonny Roberts is speaking at a @cpaguk.bsky.social fringe setting out what action Labour needs to take in order to take decisive action on child poverty [sneak preview of what he may say here 🧵]
www.changingrealities.org
September 29, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Today, we're at Labour Party Conference where Jonny Roberts is speaking at a @cpaguk.bsky.social fringe setting out what action Labour needs to take in order to take decisive action on child poverty [sneak preview of what he may say here 🧵]
We can all agree that the current systems of Special Educational Needs support are failing but the next step is to agree what change is needed to build a better, more inclusive system that works for all children
www.changingrealities.org/writings/wha...
[short 🧵, launching new @changing_r note]
www.changingrealities.org/writings/wha...
[short 🧵, launching new @changing_r note]
www.changingrealities.org
September 23, 2025 at 6:21 AM
We can all agree that the current systems of Special Educational Needs support are failing but the next step is to agree what change is needed to build a better, more inclusive system that works for all children
www.changingrealities.org/writings/wha...
[short 🧵, launching new @changing_r note]
www.changingrealities.org/writings/wha...
[short 🧵, launching new @changing_r note]
Reposted by Changing Realities
Parents from @changingrealities.bsky.social - led by our very own @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social - met with @johnswinney.bsky.social & @sa4dunfermline.bsky.social to discuss the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 👏
Their voices are key to ending child poverty in 🏴
More www.gla.ac.uk/news/headlin...
Their voices are key to ending child poverty in 🏴
More www.gla.ac.uk/news/headlin...
September 11, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Parents from @changingrealities.bsky.social - led by our very own @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social - met with @johnswinney.bsky.social & @sa4dunfermline.bsky.social to discuss the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 👏
Their voices are key to ending child poverty in 🏴
More www.gla.ac.uk/news/headlin...
Their voices are key to ending child poverty in 🏴
More www.gla.ac.uk/news/headlin...
Reposted by Changing Realities
“I feel confident and hopeful.”
Parents from @changingrealities.bsky.social - led by @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social - met with @johnswinney.bsky.social and @sa4dunfermline.bsky.social for discussions about the Scottish Government's Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan.
More: gla.ac/3VGnVH0
Parents from @changingrealities.bsky.social - led by @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social - met with @johnswinney.bsky.social and @sa4dunfermline.bsky.social for discussions about the Scottish Government's Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan.
More: gla.ac/3VGnVH0
September 11, 2025 at 8:37 AM
“I feel confident and hopeful.”
Parents from @changingrealities.bsky.social - led by @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social - met with @johnswinney.bsky.social and @sa4dunfermline.bsky.social for discussions about the Scottish Government's Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan.
More: gla.ac/3VGnVH0
Parents from @changingrealities.bsky.social - led by @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social - met with @johnswinney.bsky.social and @sa4dunfermline.bsky.social for discussions about the Scottish Government's Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan.
More: gla.ac/3VGnVH0
Yesterday, Changing Realities parents sat around the table with the First Minister, John Swinney, and Cabinet Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, for vital discussions about the Scottish Government’s Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan.
September 9, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Yesterday, Changing Realities parents sat around the table with the First Minister, John Swinney, and Cabinet Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, for vital discussions about the Scottish Government’s Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan.
“You might not expect it from looking at me, but I’ve had the worst 10 years of my life”. Jimbo, a Changing Realities parent living in Scotland has written about Universal Credit reform in a blog called: ‘On speaking out for change’. Read here ⬇️ 📝
changingrealities.org/blog/on-spea...
changingrealities.org/blog/on-spea...
It’s important for regular people, like me, to get their voices heard. Speaking out to encourage others to share their experiences. Together, we can push those with power to make changes to the system.
changingrealities.org
August 28, 2025 at 11:04 AM
“You might not expect it from looking at me, but I’ve had the worst 10 years of my life”. Jimbo, a Changing Realities parent living in Scotland has written about Universal Credit reform in a blog called: ‘On speaking out for change’. Read here ⬇️ 📝
changingrealities.org/blog/on-spea...
changingrealities.org/blog/on-spea...
Economists are speculating about the likelihood of the Government raising taxes in the Autumn. 📻5 Live interviewed CR participant, Aurora, who says that things are ‘tough, and have been for a while’. Feature begins at 39 mins and you can 👂listen to Aurora from 44:44. 🎧🎤
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Tony Livesey - 06/08/2025 - BBC Sounds
Tony Livesey with late night conversation and in-depth interviews.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 7, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Economists are speculating about the likelihood of the Government raising taxes in the Autumn. 📻5 Live interviewed CR participant, Aurora, who says that things are ‘tough, and have been for a while’. Feature begins at 39 mins and you can 👂listen to Aurora from 44:44. 🎧🎤
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
📻 Changing Realities participant, Aurora, was interviewed by World at One (R4) today to talk about worsening living standards in the UK. She discusses rising costs as a ‘hand to mouth situation’ that doesn’t look to be improving.👂 Listen to Aurora: 10.50 to 14mins. 🎧🎤
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
World at One - Trouble for the UK Economy - BBC Sounds
A report says Rachel Reeves must raise taxes to cover £41bn gap.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 6, 2025 at 1:17 PM
📻 Changing Realities participant, Aurora, was interviewed by World at One (R4) today to talk about worsening living standards in the UK. She discusses rising costs as a ‘hand to mouth situation’ that doesn’t look to be improving.👂 Listen to Aurora: 10.50 to 14mins. 🎧🎤
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Changing Realities
Another shout out for @milliemaglet.bsky.social brilliant blog, which has been (rightly) getting a lot of love on here. So important to foreground the precarity that shapes the lives of so many, including within academia itself.
We feel very lucky to have Millie @changingrealities.bsky.social
We feel very lucky to have Millie @changingrealities.bsky.social
As a research associate on a participatory project, lived experience is valued, carefully held, and entangled with our (researchers') own lives. My blog for Big Issue covers precarious work, ill-health, and Labour's cuts.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/canc...
www.bigissue.com/opinion/canc...
How patients could suffer after Labour's universal credit cuts
Millie Light writes of the deep sorrow she feels for anyone who becomes sick or disabled with cancer after the universal credit cuts.
www.bigissue.com
August 6, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Another shout out for @milliemaglet.bsky.social brilliant blog, which has been (rightly) getting a lot of love on here. So important to foreground the precarity that shapes the lives of so many, including within academia itself.
We feel very lucky to have Millie @changingrealities.bsky.social
We feel very lucky to have Millie @changingrealities.bsky.social
Reposted by Changing Realities
This piece starkly sets out the fears anyone without a considerable personal safety net has about falling seriously ill or becoming disabled. The cuts to social welfare will make this all too real.
Well done @milliemaglet.bsky.social & @bigissue.com
Well done @milliemaglet.bsky.social & @bigissue.com
Fantastic blog in @bigissue.com from @changingrealities.bsky.social very own @milliemaglet.bsky.social writing powerfully on how insecurity and universal credit collide www.bigissue.com/opinion/canc...
How patients could suffer after Labour's universal credit cuts
Millie Light writes of the deep sorrow she feels for anyone who becomes sick or disabled with cancer after the universal credit cuts.
www.bigissue.com
August 5, 2025 at 3:20 PM
This piece starkly sets out the fears anyone without a considerable personal safety net has about falling seriously ill or becoming disabled. The cuts to social welfare will make this all too real.
Well done @milliemaglet.bsky.social & @bigissue.com
Well done @milliemaglet.bsky.social & @bigissue.com
Reposted by Changing Realities
Fantastic blog in @bigissue.com from @changingrealities.bsky.social very own @milliemaglet.bsky.social writing powerfully on how insecurity and universal credit collide www.bigissue.com/opinion/canc...
How patients could suffer after Labour's universal credit cuts
Millie Light writes of the deep sorrow she feels for anyone who becomes sick or disabled with cancer after the universal credit cuts.
www.bigissue.com
August 5, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Fantastic blog in @bigissue.com from @changingrealities.bsky.social very own @milliemaglet.bsky.social writing powerfully on how insecurity and universal credit collide www.bigissue.com/opinion/canc...