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
'Bah humbug politics and the cruelty of the two-child limit' - LabourList
The language of 'Benefits Street' is a rhetoric completely devoid of compassion. Those using it should hang their heads in shame.
labourlist.org
'The current government has successfully created the foundations for reducing child poverty with the removal of two-child limit. They now need to build on this to permanently eradicate child poverty.' Festive piece on scrapping of the 2CL in @labourlist.bsky.social labourlist.org/2025/12/bah-...
Reposted by Changing Realities
Great to see one of our @changingrealities.bsky.social articles is one of the most downloaded articles published in the Journal of Poverty and Social Justice in 2025! It shares parents' everyday struggles & recommendations for change/ read it here: bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journal...
bristoluniversitypressdigital.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Great to see one of our @changingrealities.bsky.social articles is one of the most downloaded articles published in the Journal of Poverty and Social Justice in 2025! It shares parents' everyday struggles & recommendations for change/ read it here: bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journal...
Reposted by Changing Realities
Must 📖 @uiscejordan.bsky.social paper on exploring the lived realities of the CoL crisis through participatory research.
In @brisunipress.bsky.social Journal of Poverty & Social Justice edited by @socpolsteve.bsky.social @drmarcopomati.bsky.social bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journal...
In @brisunipress.bsky.social Journal of Poverty & Social Justice edited by @socpolsteve.bsky.social @drmarcopomati.bsky.social bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journal...
bristoluniversitypressdigital.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Must 📖 @uiscejordan.bsky.social paper on exploring the lived realities of the CoL crisis through participatory research.
In @brisunipress.bsky.social Journal of Poverty & Social Justice edited by @socpolsteve.bsky.social @drmarcopomati.bsky.social bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journal...
In @brisunipress.bsky.social Journal of Poverty & Social Justice edited by @socpolsteve.bsky.social @drmarcopomati.bsky.social bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journal...
Must 📖 @uiscejordan.bsky.social paper on exploring the lived realities of the CoL crisis through participatory research.
In @brisunipress.bsky.social Journal of Poverty & Social Justice edited by @socpolsteve.bsky.social @drmarcopomati.bsky.social bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journal...
In @brisunipress.bsky.social Journal of Poverty & Social Justice edited by @socpolsteve.bsky.social @drmarcopomati.bsky.social bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journal...
bristoluniversitypressdigital.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Must 📖 @uiscejordan.bsky.social paper on exploring the lived realities of the CoL crisis through participatory research.
In @brisunipress.bsky.social Journal of Poverty & Social Justice edited by @socpolsteve.bsky.social @drmarcopomati.bsky.social bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journal...
In @brisunipress.bsky.social Journal of Poverty & Social Justice edited by @socpolsteve.bsky.social @drmarcopomati.bsky.social bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journal...
Reposted by Changing Realities
According to Jonny Roberts, a @changingrealities.bsky.social participant and Universal Credit recipient, the system is too often defined by a lack of trust.
But there are better (and simpler) ways of doing things, especially when it comes to childcare ⤵️
But there are better (and simpler) ways of doing things, especially when it comes to childcare ⤵️
January 30, 2026 at 4:53 PM
According to Jonny Roberts, a @changingrealities.bsky.social participant and Universal Credit recipient, the system is too often defined by a lack of trust.
But there are better (and simpler) ways of doing things, especially when it comes to childcare ⤵️
But there are better (and simpler) ways of doing things, especially when it comes to childcare ⤵️
Reposted by Changing Realities
"It was right to increase the Scottish Child Payment to £40 for babies. But they should have been braver and increased it for all children on a low income" Read @ilonapin.bsky.social and @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social new piece in @scotnational.bsky.social
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
All Scottish children need extra help, not just babies
EVERY day, around 125 babies are born in Scotland. Each new life represents a new beginning but also significant, and often scary, changes for their…
www.thenational.scot
January 22, 2026 at 5:25 PM
"It was right to increase the Scottish Child Payment to £40 for babies. But they should have been braver and increased it for all children on a low income" Read @ilonapin.bsky.social and @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social new piece in @scotnational.bsky.social
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
Reposted by Changing Realities
Excellent new report, grounded in the lived experiences, collective reflection and strategic insight of @changingrealities.bsky.social participants.
As Alara says, "claimants can be great individual case studies to learn from, but, collectively, can be great co-workers for this change process"
As Alara says, "claimants can be great individual case studies to learn from, but, collectively, can be great co-workers for this change process"
🚨 New report! 🚨
The Government must increase trust in Universal Credit as full roll out brings 15 million people into the system.
Listen and learn, produced in partnership with @changingrealities.bsky.social, draws on testimony from UC claimants and welfare advisors ⤵️ buff.ly/TjrE4OW
The Government must increase trust in Universal Credit as full roll out brings 15 million people into the system.
Listen and learn, produced in partnership with @changingrealities.bsky.social, draws on testimony from UC claimants and welfare advisors ⤵️ buff.ly/TjrE4OW
January 29, 2026 at 1:29 PM
Excellent new report, grounded in the lived experiences, collective reflection and strategic insight of @changingrealities.bsky.social participants.
As Alara says, "claimants can be great individual case studies to learn from, but, collectively, can be great co-workers for this change process"
As Alara says, "claimants can be great individual case studies to learn from, but, collectively, can be great co-workers for this change process"
Today we launch our co-produced report with Resolution Foundation. Participants from CR shaped many of the discussions and recommendations that you will find within the report. We call for structural and cultural changes to UC that could drastically improve interactions with the system. Read below👇
🚨 New report! 🚨
The Government must increase trust in Universal Credit as full roll out brings 15 million people into the system.
Listen and learn, produced in partnership with @changingrealities.bsky.social, draws on testimony from UC claimants and welfare advisors ⤵️ buff.ly/TjrE4OW
The Government must increase trust in Universal Credit as full roll out brings 15 million people into the system.
Listen and learn, produced in partnership with @changingrealities.bsky.social, draws on testimony from UC claimants and welfare advisors ⤵️ buff.ly/TjrE4OW
January 29, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Today we launch our co-produced report with Resolution Foundation. Participants from CR shaped many of the discussions and recommendations that you will find within the report. We call for structural and cultural changes to UC that could drastically improve interactions with the system. Read below👇
Reposted by Changing Realities
📢 💷 Ahead of the Scottish government budget for 2026-27 published this afternoon, we've published a policy briefing based on findings from our Family Finances study in partnership with colleagues and participants from the @changingrealities.bsky.social project 🧵
January 13, 2026 at 2:39 PM
📢 💷 Ahead of the Scottish government budget for 2026-27 published this afternoon, we've published a policy briefing based on findings from our Family Finances study in partnership with colleagues and participants from the @changingrealities.bsky.social project 🧵
"As a mother, my heart swelled with pride. But as an advocate, I felt something even deeper: a reassuring reminder that this country still has space for compassion..." Why we [continue to] do this work, a blog by Beauty reflecting on a visit to No.10: www.changingrealities.org/blog/hope-at...
On December 18, 2025, I stepped through the iconic black door of No. 10 Downing Street, carrying more than just a diary appointment. I brought with me hope, memories, and the quiet weight of every family whose story has intertwined with the mission we pursue at Changing Realities.
www.changingrealities.org
January 7, 2026 at 1:45 PM
"As a mother, my heart swelled with pride. But as an advocate, I felt something even deeper: a reassuring reminder that this country still has space for compassion..." Why we [continue to] do this work, a blog by Beauty reflecting on a visit to No.10: www.changingrealities.org/blog/hope-at...
Reposted by Changing Realities
'When I was inside No 10 Downing Street, I felt included & like I was part of something bigger & more powerful than I ever could have imagined. But this is not the end. Next year, we will continue to work for change: hopefully stronger, bigger & better.' www.changingrealities.org/blog/ending-...
So it came as a massive surprise to me that not only were we listened to but some of the things we called for – for example, the removal of the cruel two-child limit – were actually implemented.
www.changingrealities.org
December 23, 2025 at 10:47 AM
'When I was inside No 10 Downing Street, I felt included & like I was part of something bigger & more powerful than I ever could have imagined. But this is not the end. Next year, we will continue to work for change: hopefully stronger, bigger & better.' www.changingrealities.org/blog/ending-...
Reposted by Changing Realities
Reflecting on her year as part of @changingrealities.bsky.social Sahar Khan writes: 'deep down though I feared that the voices of me & the parents like me are weak, & that it was all happening for the sake of it. Nothing will change, I worried. And who will listen to any of us, and especially to me?
'When I was inside No 10 Downing Street, I felt included & like I was part of something bigger & more powerful than I ever could have imagined. But this is not the end. Next year, we will continue to work for change: hopefully stronger, bigger & better.' www.changingrealities.org/blog/ending-...
So it came as a massive surprise to me that not only were we listened to but some of the things we called for – for example, the removal of the cruel two-child limit – were actually implemented.
www.changingrealities.org
December 23, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Reflecting on her year as part of @changingrealities.bsky.social Sahar Khan writes: 'deep down though I feared that the voices of me & the parents like me are weak, & that it was all happening for the sake of it. Nothing will change, I worried. And who will listen to any of us, and especially to me?
'When I was inside No 10 Downing Street, I felt included & like I was part of something bigger & more powerful than I ever could have imagined. But this is not the end. Next year, we will continue to work for change: hopefully stronger, bigger & better.' www.changingrealities.org/blog/ending-...
So it came as a massive surprise to me that not only were we listened to but some of the things we called for – for example, the removal of the cruel two-child limit – were actually implemented.
www.changingrealities.org
December 23, 2025 at 10:47 AM
'When I was inside No 10 Downing Street, I felt included & like I was part of something bigger & more powerful than I ever could have imagined. But this is not the end. Next year, we will continue to work for change: hopefully stronger, bigger & better.' www.changingrealities.org/blog/ending-...
Reposted by Changing Realities
📸 Yesterday @lshtm.bsky.social’s Maddy Power & families from @changingrealities.bsky.social met Sir Keir Starmer & @darrenpjones.bsky.social at 10 Downing Street to discuss challenging #childpoverty in the UK.
Changing Realities is a collaboration between LSHTM @glasgow.ac.uk @cpaguk.bsky.social
Changing Realities is a collaboration between LSHTM @glasgow.ac.uk @cpaguk.bsky.social
December 19, 2025 at 11:22 AM
📸 Yesterday @lshtm.bsky.social’s Maddy Power & families from @changingrealities.bsky.social met Sir Keir Starmer & @darrenpjones.bsky.social at 10 Downing Street to discuss challenging #childpoverty in the UK.
Changing Realities is a collaboration between LSHTM @glasgow.ac.uk @cpaguk.bsky.social
Changing Realities is a collaboration between LSHTM @glasgow.ac.uk @cpaguk.bsky.social
Reposted by Changing Realities
Yesterday, over 60 of us fr @changingrealities.bsky.social came together in @10dowingstreet.bsky.social for a reception at which the PM & @darrenpjones.bsky.social thanked us for our efforts to push for action on child poverty. Together, we can make change happen. But this is just the beginning.
December 19, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Yesterday, over 60 of us fr @changingrealities.bsky.social came together in @10dowingstreet.bsky.social for a reception at which the PM & @darrenpjones.bsky.social thanked us for our efforts to push for action on child poverty. Together, we can make change happen. But this is just the beginning.
'The current government has successfully created the foundations for reducing child poverty with the removal of two-child limit. They now need to build on this to permanently eradicate child poverty.' Festive piece on scrapping of the 2CL in @labourlist.bsky.social labourlist.org/2025/12/bah-...
'Bah humbug politics and the cruelty of the two-child limit' - LabourList
The language of 'Benefits Street' is a rhetoric completely devoid of compassion. Those using it should hang their heads in shame.
labourlist.org
December 19, 2025 at 6:00 PM
'The current government has successfully created the foundations for reducing child poverty with the removal of two-child limit. They now need to build on this to permanently eradicate child poverty.' Festive piece on scrapping of the 2CL in @labourlist.bsky.social labourlist.org/2025/12/bah-...
Reposted by Changing Realities
'I will never be sorry for standing my ground and standing up for what I believe is right.'
Vital, if hard to read, words from Stacey @changingrealities.bsky.social about why she won't be stopped from speaking out about poverty by trolls
www.changingrealities.org/blog/why-i-w...
Vital, if hard to read, words from Stacey @changingrealities.bsky.social about why she won't be stopped from speaking out about poverty by trolls
www.changingrealities.org/blog/why-i-w...
It was a lot. I didn’t realise I’d be placed all over social media. I thought it would be just a couple of pictures for something, but it is what it is now. I have thought about it a lot this morning and I had to put my thoughts down on paper.
www.changingrealities.org
December 12, 2025 at 3:03 PM
'I will never be sorry for standing my ground and standing up for what I believe is right.'
Vital, if hard to read, words from Stacey @changingrealities.bsky.social about why she won't be stopped from speaking out about poverty by trolls
www.changingrealities.org/blog/why-i-w...
Vital, if hard to read, words from Stacey @changingrealities.bsky.social about why she won't be stopped from speaking out about poverty by trolls
www.changingrealities.org/blog/why-i-w...
CR participant, Izzy, wrote about the challenges of upfront childcare costs for people accessing Universal Credit and the challenges that come with wraparound care for children with SEND. The blog recommends changes that could improve this system. Read here: changingrealities.org/blog/jumping...
changingrealities.org
December 2, 2025 at 4:24 PM
CR participant, Izzy, wrote about the challenges of upfront childcare costs for people accessing Universal Credit and the challenges that come with wraparound care for children with SEND. The blog recommends changes that could improve this system. Read here: changingrealities.org/blog/jumping...
Reposted by Changing Realities
A year ago today I joined some of the incredible @changingrealities.bsky.social parents at Downing Street who shared what changes are needed to end child poverty - incl why the two-child limit must be scrapped. It’s brilliant to see yesterday’s announcement after so much hard work from so many.
November 27, 2025 at 1:03 PM
A year ago today I joined some of the incredible @changingrealities.bsky.social parents at Downing Street who shared what changes are needed to end child poverty - incl why the two-child limit must be scrapped. It’s brilliant to see yesterday’s announcement after so much hard work from so many.
It is really remarkable that this was just 12 months ago today. And that we woke up this morning to a country which will finally get rid of the two-child limit. The parents and carers we work with have been instrumental along with others especially @cpaguk.bsky.social in making this change happen.
A year ago today I joined some of the incredible @changingrealities.bsky.social parents at Downing Street who shared what changes are needed to end child poverty - incl why the two-child limit must be scrapped. It’s brilliant to see yesterday’s announcement after so much hard work from so many.
November 27, 2025 at 3:25 PM
It is really remarkable that this was just 12 months ago today. And that we woke up this morning to a country which will finally get rid of the two-child limit. The parents and carers we work with have been instrumental along with others especially @cpaguk.bsky.social in making this change happen.
Kim speaking to BBC World at One right now, about the impact of the two-child limit lifting on her family. She says she hopes it'll give her some breathing space.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
BBC Radio 4 - World at One
Forty-five minutes of news, analysis and comment, with Sarah Montague.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Kim speaking to BBC World at One right now, about the impact of the two-child limit lifting on her family. She says she hopes it'll give her some breathing space.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
"The removal of the two-child limit brings my family a deep sense of relief. Without the cap hanging over me, I finally feel less weighed down by constant financial worry and more able to make choices that genuinely reflect what each of my boys’ need." (Kim, CR parent) #2CL #Budget 🧵1/3
November 26, 2025 at 4:58 PM
"It’s amazing to hear that the 2 child benefit cap has been lifted after so many years of campaigning for this change. This will help lift so many families out of poverty and although there is still a lot of work to do, it is a step in the right direction going forward." (Stacey, CR parent) #2CL
November 26, 2025 at 4:51 PM
"It’s amazing to hear that the 2 child benefit cap has been lifted after so many years of campaigning for this change. This will help lift so many families out of poverty and although there is still a lot of work to do, it is a step in the right direction going forward." (Stacey, CR parent) #2CL
Reposted by Changing Realities
My quick-fire take for @prospectmagazine.co.uk on why we should celebrate the scrapping of the two-child limit
Draws on research for @nuffieldfoundation.org & ongoing work with the amazing @changingrealities.bsky.social
Draws on research for @nuffieldfoundation.org & ongoing work with the amazing @changingrealities.bsky.social
The government should be applauded for scrapping the cruel two-child benefit cap in the budget. But tackling poverty requires more, writes @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social.
At last: a budget that ends the two-child limit
The government should be applauded for scrapping the cruel policy, but tackling poverty requires more
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 4:45 PM
My quick-fire take for @prospectmagazine.co.uk on why we should celebrate the scrapping of the two-child limit
Draws on research for @nuffieldfoundation.org & ongoing work with the amazing @changingrealities.bsky.social
Draws on research for @nuffieldfoundation.org & ongoing work with the amazing @changingrealities.bsky.social
Reposted by Changing Realities
The fight to end child poverty goes on. But today we must celebrate. It will make a real, lasting difference to families the breadth of the UK and I’m so grateful to everyone in @changingrealities.bsky.social & @cpaguk.bsky.social who have advocated tirelessly for its full abolition
www.changingrealities.org
November 26, 2025 at 2:37 PM
The fight to end child poverty goes on. But today we must celebrate. It will make a real, lasting difference to families the breadth of the UK and I’m so grateful to everyone in @changingrealities.bsky.social & @cpaguk.bsky.social who have advocated tirelessly for its full abolition