Real voices

Author Kerry Hudson features in Mary O’Hara’s new book, 'The Shame Game: Overturning the Toxic Poverty Narrative' which is out next week. In this interview, originally published on Project Twist-It, she talks about why she writes about poverty and why telling stories matters…Read more

Eris' story is taken from Degrees of Freedom, edited by Rod Earle and James Mehigan, which documents the vital work done by The Open University in the development of prison education.…Read more

Jessica Gay, Senior Community and Events Fundraiser at Julian House, a homeless charity based in Bath, shows how the charity offers direct support through projects and services which not only address the symptoms of homelessness but also the underlying reasons why men and women are forced onto the streets. Julian House is Bristol University Press's chosen charity for 2020.…Read more

With this year's Project for Awesome starting today, Martha Gleeson, Digital Marketing Coordinator at Bristol University Press, explores the impact the project has had and the often hidden power of engaged, online communities.…Read more

Zoe Young, author of Women’s Work: How Mothers Manage Flexible Working in Careers and Family Life speaks to Jess Miles about work-life balance being an unattainable dream and how choice is an illusion for professional mothers. They discuss how policy and organisation change can make flexible working arrangements ‘work’ for women and families, and for Read More

In this episode we tell Amara’s story, about her dreams, and how fragile these are when your childhood is overshadowed by debt. Amara’s story is followed by a discussion between the authors of the book, Sorcha Mahony and Larissa Pople, along with Sam Royston, all from The Children’s Society, and Jess Miles, from Bristol University Read More

In this podcast we’re telling Alex’s story, about debt, grief and loss, and how life can spiral out of control. This is the second in a series of podcasts that examines what life is like for families stuck in problem debt. The stories are taken from Life in the Debt Trap by Sorcha Mahony and Larissa Read More

What is life like for families who are stuck in problem debt? Why do they fall into a spiral of debt in the first place, and why is it so hard to escape? This podcast tells Stella’s story, about debt and isolation, and the impact that debt has across the whole family. This is the Read More

John Brenton, Sustainability Manager at Bristol University, shares his thoughts on The Economics of Arrival by Katherine Trebeck and Jeremy Williams.…Read more

Wanting to change the world was not common in Egyptian culture. I went into the poorest areas, where the women ‘waste pickers’ were collecting garbage. I wanted to work with them as they have nothing. If their husband dies, leaves them, or disappears, they either have to get remarried or become a prostitute and the kids become destitute. They have no choice. I wanted to help them have a choice.…Read more