Pride, Participation and Real Change

Being part of Changing Realities has shown me what it looks like when lived experience genuinely shapes policy. As a participant, I wasn’t asked to share my experiences and then step back: I was listened to, taken seriously, and treated as someone whose knowledge mattered.

That became most real in the work around the two-child benefit cap. This policy affected families like mine in deeply personal ways, creating constant pressure and forcing impossible choices. Through Changing Realities, those everyday realities were brought into research and policy discussions in a way that could not be ignored.

The abolishment of the two-child benefit cap is significant, not just because of what it removes, but because of what it represents: an acknowledgement that this policy caused harm, and that listening to people directly affected leads to better decisions. Knowing that lived experience helped contribute to that change is something I feel genuinely proud of.

But this change is not the end of the work. The social security system remains deeply flawed and, for many families, still not fit for purpose. Being part of Changing Realities has shown me how important it is to keep pressure on policymakers to keep sharing lived experience, keep challenging harmful assumptions, and keep pushing for improvements that reflect how people actually live.

Real change doesn’t come from one policy shift alone. It comes from sustained listening, accountability, and a willingness to keep improving systems that affect people’s lives every day. Being part of that ongoing work turning experience into influence and ensuring voices like mine continue to be heard is why Changing Realities matters to me.

I would also like to end by thanking the Prime Minister for hosting Changing Realities on 18 December 2025, and for recognising the hard work, commitment, and expertise of everyone involved. That acknowledgement matters not just as a gesture, but as a sign that lived experience has a place in shaping the policies that affect our lives.