Blog Posts

“No one knows how to help and people just judge us; Notes on a social security system that isn’t working”

APLE Collective’s Themes from Welfare Experiences Workshop – Expert Citizens, ATD Fourth World. Thrive Teesside.  Croft, T; Goldstraw, K; Herrington, T and Parkes, P  APLE Collective have been working with Kings College London on a Welfare Experiences Research Project as a lived experience partner organisation. APLE Collective address poverty with lived experience. The project is one of the first international comparisons of the experiences of individuals receiving public benefits, looking across Norway, Estonia, the United Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

Has reducing support ever worked?

Above is an estimate on how much someone with a disability who is having to seek help from the welfare system could lose if the reforms go ahead. To put the figure into context, my car, which may not be on the driveway very soon, is worth less than a quarter of the nearly five thousand pounds which could be lost. The figure equates to nearly half of the government’s own definition of the poverty Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

“Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment”: What It Means for the APLE Collective and Those with Lived Experience of Poverty.

The theme for the 2024 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is “Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment: Acting together for just, peaceful and inclusive societies.”  This theme highlights the vital need to tackle the injustices faced by people living in poverty—many also experience not just financial hardship but also exclusion from public services. For us at the APLE Collective, this theme strikes a powerful chord. It captures the challenges faced by those who have Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

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

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