The power of online conversations with Demos

Engagement with people in poverty often imposes agendas and limits real insight. Working with Demos, we aim to value lived experiences by listening to online conversations.

Demos is a think tank and research organisation dedicated to analysing social and political issues and crafting effective policy solutions. With a focus on influencing public policy in education, the economy, and governance, Demos plays a crucial role in driving positive change.

Listening and learning from lived experiences

In the charity sector and society at large, our methods of listening to and learning from individuals with lived experiences can often be extractive. This leads to evidence that reinforces our preconceptions rather than informing us on what truly matters. Challenging preconceptions and stigmas around poverty is essential, as is highlighting the daily struggles and solutions advocated by those affected. Working with Demos, we aim to redefine this by valuing lived experiences and listening to what people share online, beyond formal research, to inform more impactful interventions and solutions.

Partnering with Demos for deeper insights

Building on a successful prototype in 2023, we are continuing our partnership with Demos to achieve two key objectives. Firstly, we aim to regularly 'dip in' to the online conversations of people facing hardship, capturing salient and emerging insights on poverty and inequality. Secondly, throughout the year, we will identify overarching trends, seasonal changes, and the broader socio-political and economic impacts on these experiences and discussions.

By amplifying the voices of those experiencing hardship and inequality, we aim to achieve significant impacts:

Services will be better adapted to meet people’s experiences and needs.
Policy design and political systems will be more responsive to issues related to poverty, informed by the real-life experiences of those affected.

Empowering dialogue: the next step

Online conversations hold transformative potential in shaping public perceptions and driving social change. By understanding how people discuss poverty and hardship online, we can foster more inclusive and effective solutions.

To delve deeper into the nuances of these discussions and explore key insights, read the full research by Demos.