Here’s my unfashionable opinion: most politicians do a good job, are involved in politics for the right reasons, and get a lot of unfair criticism.

There is, however, a limit to what politicians can achieve and a limit to what they understand is happening ‘in the real world’. The requirement to spend a lot of time in the Senedd or Westminster reduces the time spent elsewhere.

How then, can this be overcome? One solution can be found in central Cardiff on Friday, June 2. 100 representatives are gathering from small, community organisations and businesses from across Wales.

Organised by the Centre for Social Justice think-tank, we are all taking part in the "Big Listen Wales", part of a new Social Justice Commission which is scouring the country to understand the nature of life for the poorest in our country today and the ‘social backlog’ of the pandemic. 

The Commission is asking two simple questions: what are the biggest challenges faced by the most disadvantaged; and what are the best solutions we can find?

The findings from this exercise – and those from similar events in other locations across the UK – will create an unflinching account of what life is like for those who are struggling the most in our nation. From this will form a set of recommendations for the UK government and other political parties. I believe the outcome of this could be profound. Especially when you consider how people feel about their lives today.

Recent polling found that the British public think they’d be better off living abroad in countries like France, Germany, Denmark, New Zealand, and Australia. Three-quarters of people in Wales think Britain is ‘broken’.

This is perhaps unsurprising as most of us are still recovering from the impact of the pandemic and the associated lockdowns. Add soaring energy bills and rising interest rates into the mix and no wonder life is so challenging. So, what is the answer? And how can we get the right information into the hands of politicians?

The thinking behind ‘Big Listen Cardiff’ is simple: answers to some of the challenges we face could be found in small local organisations. Put another way, insights gathered from the backstreets of Britain can inform decisions made in the corridors of power.

Take for example the Cardiff-based charity Purple Shoots that provides finance and support to would-be entrepreneurs who lack access to traditional finance. With a small initial investment, Purple Shoots is revolutionising the world of work for hundreds of people.

In the nine years since the charity started, it has given 770 loans, supporting 600 new businesses, and helping 925 people out of unemployment. And the impact is not only economic – their case studies tell stories of drug addictions overcome, mental health challenges conquered, family relationships strengthened.

This is important when you consider the economic reality in Wales. Last week, unemployment figures showed a rise to 4.6 per cent the largest year-on-year increase in unemployment in the UK. What is more, 28 per cent  of people in Wales are currently behind on a bill or payment. And most worryingly, 44 per cent of Welsh borrowers stated they have borrowed informally, increasing the risk of loan-shark activity.

There is no doubt that life for many is hard right now. The answer is not to relocate and set up a new life in a foreign country, however tempting that may be. Rather we must find solutions closer to home to address the root causes of poverty.

Purple Shoots is one example of a local, community-based project that could provide national solutions. Imagine a Purple Shoots in every city in the country. This is why we are gathering 100 grassroots organisations – to listen and learn from them. And take our findings into the corridors of power.

Big Listen Cardiff provides a model. Politicians seeking insights and answers should listen to local community organisations who are delivering innovative solutions day-in-day-out.

Nathan Gamester, is managing director at the CSJ Foundation