Vulnerability Matters

Why are outcomes so ‘hard’ to get right? David Atkins (formerly Lloyds Banking Group co-lead on vulnerability and inclusion) explains to Chris Fitch what an outcome is (and isn’t), why we all struggle to define and measure them, and how a new approach promises to make the whole process simpler, clearer, and more effective. Taking us from ‘too hard’ to giving us ‘new hope’, David demystifies an issue which has previously tied many of us up in knots. https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-atkins-spenkins/ www.moneyadvicetrust.org/vulnerability

The ‘Purple Pound’ measures the potential spending power of households with at least one disabled person. Reported to be worth £274 billion per year to the UK economy in 2017, new data values it at £446bn. Mike Adams (CEO of disability organisation Purple) and Jamie Evans (Research Fellow, Bristol University) join us to discuss what the Purple Pound is, whether it really is worth this much, and just what a “purchasing power” figure like this means when so many disabled people are reporting everyday financial difficulty? Mike Adams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-adams-purple/ Jamie Evans: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-evans-387485120/ Purple Tuesday: https://purpletuesday.co/ Help! Guide: https://www.moneyadvicetrust.org/vulnerability-resources

‘Financial wellbeing’ is a term that many use, but most never dare define. However, Professor Adele Atkinson (Centre on Household Assets and Savings Management, Birmingham University) not only defines what ‘financial wellbeing’ means, but explains how its key elements affect our everyday thinking and behaviour. https://www.linkedin.com/in/adele-atkinson-afrap/ https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/centres-institutes/household-assets-and-savings-managementerstestiftung.org

Starting a Champion Networks sounds simple. However, they’re harder to start and sustain than we think. In this episode, Charlie Turrell from the Ministry of Justice and the Champions of Accessibility Network joins Chris Fitch to share what makes a Network ‘work’, why so many crash and burn, and how the secret to their success might just be good old-fashioned ‘fun’. https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-turrell https://ab11y.com

What happens when lived experience shared online becomes advice that lacks evidence? In this episode, Matt Gupwell, founder of ThinkNeurodiversity, joins Chris Fitch to unpack the rise of vulnerability and neuro-influencers, challenge recycled myths, and explain why re-balancing lived experience with research is essential for preventing harm. https://www.thinkneurodiversity.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattgupwell/

What does it mean to design a service, product, or even a letter in a ‘trauma-informed’ way? Content designer Rachel Edwards explains to Chris Fitch what trauma is (and isn’t), how it affects peoples’ everyday lives, and how six principles can turn any design into a ‘trauma-informed 'design. https://www.designedwithcare.org/

In this Season 4 opener, we look at cryptocurrency and gambling. Unpacking its rise and effects are Raminta Diliso (GamCare Financial Harm Project) and Jason (who shares his experience of the impact and loopholes that crypto introduced to his gambling), with Chris Fitch asking the key question: what, if anything, can financial service and other firms do to tackle this? https://www.gamcare.org.uk/outreach-and-training/gambling-related-financial-harm/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramintad/

In her final lecture, Elizabeth focuses on the power of listening. Identifying this not only as an individual human skill we all need to develop, but also as the core of an effective organisational strategy on vulnerability and inclusion, Elizabeth introduces different ways of listening for our organisation to connect, prevent harm, and deliver change. LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethblakelock/

In her second lecture, Elizabeth explores whether concepts like fairness, equity, diversity, and inclusion can really help organisations measure and improve customer outcomes. Explaining why it is critical to go beyond surface-level metrics, Elizabeth identifies how we can identify hidden harms, and the role of disaggregated data in understanding who benefits - and who is being left behind. LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethblakelock/

In her first of three lectures, Elizabeth enters the world of the ‘Inclusion Allies’ – the people, networks, and groups who can help us build inclusion from within. Examining how such relationships can drive powerful change, Elizabeth outlines the practical steps needed to draw on lived experience from within organisations and sectors, and how such connections are essential to short and long-term impact. LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethblakelock/