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

Stock image - A rainbow on children's hands

Child Maintenance During a Cost-of-Living Crisis – A System of Support?

Child Maintenance is a key source of income for many households in the UK, but long-term system issues are preventing parents from being able to access support. Improving systems of support around Child Maintenance should be a key priority area for policy. This research provides a critical snapshot of parent’s experiences of Child Maintenance during … Read more

Finding a Voice, Taking Action: Using Action Learning Sets to Support Change in the Scottish Hospitality Industry

Finding a Voice, Taking Action: Using Action Learning Sets to Support Change in the Scottish Hospitality Industry

This report summarises progress to date and key learning from the first stage of the action learning set (ALS) workstream within the Serving the Future, a three-year action research project working with hospitality employers and workers. The project is seeking to understand, reduce and prevent in-work poverty and identify changes that could be made within … Read more

A stock image of a hospitality worker

Serving the Future: Workers’ Experiences of Low-Paid Work

This briefing highlights findings from the Serving the Future project on hospitality workers’ experiences of low-paid work in Scotland. In interviews with workers over a 12-month period, the research is seeking to understand: ■ The demands and challenges of sustaining employment in the hospitality sector over time; ■ The impacts of working in the hospitality … Read more

A stock image of someone working in the hospitality sector.

Hospitality in Scotland: Key Issues for the Future of the Sector

The Serving the Future project is funded by The Robertson Trust. It is a partnership between the University of Strathclyde’s Fraser of Allander Institute, the Institute for Inspiring Children’s Futures and the Poverty Alliance. The project works with hospitality employers and related public services, as well as with people in the sector, to identify and … Read more

Stay in the loop