Everyday Austerity

by | Feb 3, 2022

At the height of the public spending cuts, the Everyday Austerity research project looked at the impact the austerity policies were having on everyday life for families and communities in Greater Manchester.

Dr Sarah Marie Hall spent two years working with six families in Manchester gathering first-hand personal stories to better understand the personal impacts of austerity on everyday family life to inform policy and ultimately improve livelihoods. She also advised, trained and empowered groups and communities to tackle the resulting social injustices.

“This made me feel much more connected to the people around me, and it made things feel real instead of something separate than me. I feel like I know these people and I want to learn more about them.”
Exhibition visitor

Sarah’s findings were presented in a touring exhibition that turned these people’s stories into a series of drawings, photographs, audio excerpts and objects to ‘lift the lid’ on austerity and bring these experiences of everyday austerity to life. Several thousand people have viewed the exhibition as it has travelled round venues in Greater Manchester. A zine was also produced, illustrated by Claire Springer, and hard copies circulated widely.

The Everyday Austerity research project has influenced a range of policy stakeholders and decision-makers, including the Women’s Budget Group International Network, which debates and raises awareness of gender and economic policy to influence government, and has informed Manchester City Council’s Family Poverty Strategy.

Find out more on the Everyday Austerity website.