Research

A graphic showing three people being protected by an umbrella and supported by two outstreched hands. It's a representation of how social security is meant to protect and support people.

Research: Accessing a reliable and adequate safety net through social security – Experiences of young adults claiming Universal Credit in Scotland

One in ten young adults (aged 16-24) in the UK depend on Universal Credit for managing essential living and housing costs. While it is an important lifeline, providing vital financial support at a time when young adults are also often navigating employment, education, and independence, younger people receiving Universal Credit can face multiple barriers to … Read more

A graphic illustration of a young woman holding her head in her hands, surrounded by bills, with a representation of the COVID virus in the background.

Research: Long Covid, Long Consequences

Long COVID affects a significant number of households in the UK, with 8% of adults reporting Long COVID in Scotland in 2023. Prevalence of Long COVID in the most deprived fifth of the UK population (3.2%) is more than twice as high as in the least deprived fifth and it is more prevalent in minoritised … Read more

A photograph of an open fridge with very little on the shelves. Part of the Give Me Some Credit photovoice exhibition, taken by creator Michael John Arthur

Give Me Some Credit: The reality of life without a safety net

About We have partnered with Fair by Design to show the harsh realities faced by people on low incomes who were denied access to credit during times of urgent need. What we’re doing We worked with 14 people with lived experience who took photos and wrote stories that depict the day-to-day personal impacts of being … Read more

Becoming human rights defenders

Research: Becoming human rights defenders – Rights in Action

In June 2023, a group of six organisations delivering anti-poverty work in rural areas across Scotland came together through our Rights in Action project. Over the 12 months that followed, using the action learning methodology, these organisations identified issues related to their work or community, and were supported through a process to identify and take … Read more

Research: Understanding experiences of low-paid work in the hospitality sector over time

This report explores the experiences of low-paid workers in Scotland’s hospitality sector, looking to understand the structural challenges and personal experiences in their employment. Conducted over three waves of longitudinal interviews from 2022 to 2024, the Serving the Future project has captured the evolving realities of a group of hospitality workers’ lives within the context … Read more

Steelgraham, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Research: Rights to Housing and the Environment – Experiences of the Roma Community in Govanhill

The Roma communities in Govanhill, Glasgow, face significant challenges to attaining their right to adequate housing. This report – part of the Rights in Action project – presents findings from a participatory action research project by Romano Lav in partnership with the Poverty Alliance which explored Roma people’s experiences of social and private housing, awareness … Read more

small rudimentary figures of man in paper

Research – Mental Health Foundation and Poverty Alliance Training Needs Overview

We worked with the Mental Health Foundation to learn about the training and support needs of Poverty Alliance member organisations around preventative approaches to mental health, with the idea of using the findings to inform development of a new capacity building model. Overall, this survey highlighted that whilst confidence in knowledge around mental health theory … Read more

Stock image representing anxiety and poor mental health.

Research: Experiences of poverty stigma and mental health in the UK

More than 14 million people in the United Kingdom (UK) are currently living in poverty, and the number of people experiencing deep poverty is increasing (Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2024). We worked with the Mental Health Foundation and researchers from the University of Strathclyde on this report, where we examine how experiences of poverty stigma are … Read more

‘You just see the prices go up…’: Families’ experiences of in-work poverty in Scotland and implications for children’s human rights

This policy briefing presents key findings and offers recommendations to policymakers at the mid-point of a three-year action research project on in-work poverty and the hospitality sector – with a particular focus on children and families. This briefing outlines initial considerations towards a comprehensive Scottish policy landscape which delivers children’s rights and tackles child poverty … Read more

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