About Heard and the project

Heard is a charity that works to change the way the media talks about people and the issues that shape our lives. We believe the stories we hear in the news, on TV, and in everyday life play a big role in how people understand the world - and what they think should change.

At Heard, we’ve been changing cultural perceptions for 16 years. Our mission is: to create conversations about social issues that change minds and develop the conditions for lasting social change. We’ve worked on shifting narratives about poverty and economic injustice since 2018. Highlights include shaping a storyline about a young carer living in poverty on Emmerdale (audience: 4 million) and a guide for media on reporting poverty, co-produced with our networks with lived experience and the National Union of Journalists.

This project on shifting the narrative on the economy seeks to centre the voices of people with lived experience of economic injustice to reshape how we talk about the economy. We will be co-creating powerful, accessible language that helps changemakers engage the public in meaningful conversations about economic change. 

We’re looking for 8 people who: 

1. know what it’s like to feel the effects of today’s economy. That could include things like:
   - Low pay, insecure work, or job loss 
   - Struggling to access healthcare, housing, education, or childcare
   - Feeling the impact of cuts to public services in your area
   - Working in unstable or underpaid sectors like care, retail, or gig work
   - Experiencing mental health challenges linked to financial or social pressures
   - Feeling excluded from the systems and decisions that shape your life
2. Want to help change how the economy is talked about
3. Are open to sharing ideas, reflecting, and creating with others