This report details the work of a philanthropic organisation to prioritise and embed the voices of lived and living experience in its work to create a future in which all South Australians are free of poverty. 

The report shares frank feedback on The Wyatt Trust’s evolving activity in this space and documents what has been a humbling, and at times, difficult journey. 

The preparation of this report included a review by lived and living experience colleagues and includes first-person perspectives and contributions throughout, along with the voices of service providers, consultants and team members. People with lived and living experience of issues like poverty are the experts in their lives. They know best what is needed to change their situation and when we listen to their voices, we learn. 

While embedding lived and living experience perspectives may not be possible or appropriate in every circumstance, the application of this framework at Wyatt has improved the way they conceive, develop, evaluate and deliver their grantmaking. The report asserts that embedding lived and living experience must, at the very least, be a consideration for service providers, philanthropic funders, government departments and policymakers if we are to avoid the trap of serving systems rather than serving people.