Blog Posts

Dreams go across borders. Chris Burns writes for #LearningDisabilityWeek.

It’s Learning Disability Awareness week and once again the APLE Collective is proudly highlighting the event. The Cornwall coastline goes from the Rame Peninsula right down to Land’s End and back towards the Bristol Channel to Bude. It’s as part of the culture of Cornwall as much as the Pasty, tin mining, wind farms and yes second homes. But there is part of Cornwall that doesn’t always receive the same attention: the Isles of Scilly. Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

Kintsugi Hope- A New Way of Looking at Life’s Scars

All of us carry around scars – whether they are physical, emotional, psychological or mental – they are part and parcel of being human.  Very often we look at these scars with shame and failure.  Often we use them to beat ourselves up and it all combines to reduce how we view ourselves.  The Japanese have a tradition called ‘Kentsugi’ – meaning “joining with gold” (kin is gold and tsugi is join).  Instead of throwing away broken things like Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

APLE Month 2024- Taking Voice Seriously

APLE Collective hosts APLE Month every June to celebrate the voices of those with lived experience of poverty. The 2024 theme, “Taking Voice Seriously,” emphasises the importance of listening and action. Events include a collective gathering, the Dignity For All Conference, Volunteers Week, Empathy Day, and Learning Disability Week, highlighting efforts to address poverty and inequality.

By aplecollective, ago

Reintroducing: ATD Fourth World UK

ATD Fourth World UK’s dedication to activism, their deep understanding of systemic injustices, and their tireless efforts in empowering those with lived experiences of poverty and inequality resonate profoundly with our ethos. ATD Fourth World UK are an integral part of our collective, leveraging our expertise and passion to effect meaningful change. As we reflect on our journey together, we are immensely grateful for the partnership, friendship, and shared vision that ATD Fourth World UK Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

Reintroducing: All The Small Things CIC

All the Small Things CIC have been an integral part of the APLE Collective for many years now, showing commitment and significant contributions to our joint mission. The organisation’s efforts in Stoke on Trent and North Staffordshire are commendable. By effectively raising awareness of critical social issues such as poverty and loneliness, they are making a tangible difference in their community. All The Small Things goes beyond this; they actively work to empower and amplify Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

Having Choices- A blog by Christopher Burns

Having a career, a choice how to make a living, a choice on how to contribute to society. A good majority of people in society do have choices in their lives, mainly due to the opportunities being there for them. A fault on my car maybe solved with a bulb or it may not and another grand will be added to the bill, which l’m already facing to cover the repairs to mum’s house. It’s Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

Single Parents Rights: Universal Credit Conditionality Research

At Single Parent Rights, we are calling on the government to reverse the latest Universal Credit work conditionality rules given the worrying findings from our recent research.  https://www.singleparentrights.org/uc-conditionality-research). Our survey of 638 single parents in receipt of Universal Credit revealed that less than one third (32%) find their work current requirements manageable. And over 80% of single parents in receipt of Universal Credit are unable to meet the new 30-hour work requirements introduced last October for Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

What London needs to hear- Christopher Burns

London will be told Cornwall is lovely and blue. It won’t be told that the Minor Injury unit is closed today and forcing a pensioner to rely on his family relative to supposedly gain healthcare in Bodmin. London will be told that Cornwall has no problems, it’s a fairytale for everyone and suffering doesn’t exist. Once again, the marketplace is benefiting from my misfortune, unfortunately. People who describe life in Cornwall as being in a Read more…

By aplecollective, ago
loudspeaker on top of wooden stool

The Politics of Taking Action on Poverty- Katy Goldstraw writes for #IDEP2023.

The views expressed in this blog post are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of APLE as a collective. The 17th of October is United Nations International Day to End Poverty. It is a globally recognised day to commemorate the impact that the lived experience of poverty has on the life chances and livelihoods of those who live on a low income. There will be events across the world Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

Culture Wars- Brian Scott writes for #IDEP2023

The views expressed in this blog post are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of APLE as a collective. (I’ve Got a Bad Feeling About This) It is a period of fear and unrest.  In Westminster the feared Empire is preparing for another attack on those with limited power, say and democratic means to represent themselves in the ‘British’ parliament.  These attacks have happened sporadically over the last 13 years, Read more…

By aplecollective, ago