An independent chair appointed to oversee a review into the causes and impacts of inequality across the city is recruiting a panel of local voices and wants to hear from people with lived experiences of poverty or professional insight into its impacts.
Polly Herbert was recently unveiled as the head of the city’s Review of Inequality and Life Chances, a major piece of work tasked with identifying actions to improve life chances for residents.
Currently the head of initial teacher education at the University of Brighton, Polly brings more than 20 years’ professional experience in education alongside lived experience of growing up in poverty in Moulsecoomb in a single-parent family.
She has spoken openly about the lasting impacts of deprivation on confidence, health and opportunity.
The Inequality and Life Chances Review was agreed by councillors in October 2025 and will focus on identifying and understanding persistent inequalities in the city.
Key to its approach will be drawing on lived experience alongside evidence from residents, community organisations, employers and experts through a city-wide call for evidence.
As such, Polly, with our support, is now looking to recruit 6 panel members to join the review.
Three will be City Voice panel members – people from within the health service, the local third sector, our education institutions and local businesses who can offer their experience and insight.
Crucially, there will also be 3 Community Voice panel members - residents with a lived experience of poverty and a passion and determination to not only represent their communities but also help shape improvements.
Anyone who would like to express an interest in either City Voice or Community Voice roles is asked to email: cabinet.office@brighton-hove.gov.uk before 19 June.
They should include any relevant information and their reasons for wanting to join the review panel.
Travel costs, childcare and carer costs can be covered by the council if needed.
Polly said: “This review represents a significant opportunity for the city to place lived experience at the centre of meaningful change.
“I’m committed to working with communities and institutions across Brighton & Hove to ensure the review produces credible and impactful recommendations. To achieve this, it is vital we recognise and reflect not only people’s professional insight, but the real, lived experiences from people living in our local communities.
“For this review to have the impact we all want it to, it needs those authentic voices to be heard.”
Polly Herbert brings more than 20 years’ professional experience in education alongside lived experience of growing up in poverty in Brighton & Hove.
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