(Brian stands second row left)
Hi everyone, let me introduce myself, my name is Brian Scott and I was born, and still live in, Glasgow. I have two boys - one a teenager and the other a ‘wannabe’ teenager’ and a mad cat called Ali, who, like me, has a dodgy back and dodgy legs.
I first became involved with the PTC (known as the Poverty Truth commission then) about 3 years ago. I can honestly say that in that time I have met some fantastic people, made some new friends and achieved an awful lot. If you had told me 3 years ago when I first made my baby steps into volunteering with the PTC that I would be meeting Scottish Government Ministers, Senior Civil Servants and delivering talks to conferences I would have said you were ‘having a laugh’. But I’ve done all that, and more, during my time with the PTC.
When asked to write this short bio piece about myself (Carol emphasised ‘short’ as I could talk about myself for pages!!!) I was asked to write about my highlights, the kind of work I’ve done and anything I thought could be done better by the PTC.
Let’s tackle the last part of that sentence first – what could the PTC do better. We can all do things better but, in the case of the PTC, I really can’t think of anything they could do more for their volunteers etc. Even during lockdown Elaine, Carol and Davy have went out of their way to keep in contact with us, making sure we are keeping well and had everything we needed etc. The guys in the office, to me, have done so much in encouraging my journey with the PTC and giving me opportunities to take part in campaigns, meetings etc without any pressure put on me. Talking to my colleagues in the PTC I am sure I’m not the only one who shares that view.
So, what have I been involved in during my time with the PTC. In a simple word – ‘lots’. I’ve listed below just some of the opportunities and campaigns that the PTC have allowed me to take part in over the past three years, though I’m pretty sure I’ve left a lot out:-
• Working Groups on the Assessment and Benefits System
• Taking part in various pieces of research on the physical and mental health implications of poverty.
• Addressing a national Joseph Roundtree conference on the uses of the Framing Technique.
• Opportunity to take part in a media course facilitated by ‘On Road Media’.
• To be part of a Q&A session addressing the Scottish Parliament Advisory Panel on Education concerning the issues surrounding childhood and poverty.
• Taking part in the Mutual Mentoring Scheme.
• To meet with other campaigners from not just around Scotland, but the rest of the UK.
• To meet with Scottish Government Ministers at the very highest level to discuss issues surrounding poverty.
• To be part of the Scottish Parliament’s Advisory Group on Fuel Poverty
• To be part of the advisory sessions regarding the Scottish Child Payment Scheme.
• To take part in both TV and Radio documentaries discussing poverty
And, finally, to meet all you wonderful people (all donations accepted – especially over £5).
Now what has been the highlight of my time with the PTC. Difficult to choose just one, but I’ve done it! The most enjoyable, informative and eye-opening thing I’ve been part of over the past three years has been the ‘Mutual Mentoring Scheme’. Here the PTC partnered with civil servants working within the Scottish Parliament to pair up PTC members and civil servants. I was partnered with a lovely chap from the Scottish Government called Tom. I was lucky enough to take part in ‘Mutual Mentoring’ at the same time the Scottish Government was putting into legislation the stages of taking over welfare responsibilities for DLA/PIP/AA and Housing Benefit. Through, Tom, I took part in working groups discussing poverty, was asked to address the Directors and Heads of several Civil Service Departments on life in poverty and growing up in an inner city housing estate and, generally, got to see the inner workings of government that I would never have been able to see otherwise. For my part, I brought Tom to Possilpark on several occasions to discuss the issues growing up and living in the inner city. Introduced him to local people, local groups as well as local activists and, hopefully, gave him much to chew to over when he went back to Edinburgh. I was anxious to show Tom that life, living in a housing estate, isn’t all bad and that there are many, many people within the area who will, willingly, go the extra mile to help their neighbours.
Hopefully, I’ve given you an interesting overview of my time with the PTC. It’s been exciting and fulfilling but there’s still work to be done out there. So, join in, (if you haven’t already). In the words of the late, lamented comedian, Rikki Fulton (yes, I am that old) – ‘It’s going to be one hell of a party’!”
Not to be missed please see attached link to view Brian’s excellent version of a classic Stray Cats song:
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