Blog Posts

man sitting on bench

The changing landscape of the digital divide- Disconnected and well and truly left behind.

I’ve never been one for relying on technology. I have very little confidence and get so stressed whenever I have to do anything that relies on me using the internet. I have a few learning difficulties and suffer quite badly with my mental health. The world is moving far too fast for me, and I am aware that people are now having to rely even more on technology and the internet. This is an absolute Read more…

By aplecollective, ago
photo of people using laptop

An open digital world- Phil Parkes.

My name is Phil Parkes, and I am the Network Coordinator at Expert Citizens. I am also a member of the APLE Collective where I take part in the campaigns group activities. For those who don’t know, Expert Citizens (EC) are a lived experience organisation who advocate for people with a lived experience of an issue or issues being at the heart of the conversation regarding those issues. I was a volunteer with EC for Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

APLE at the Raising Voices Exhibition

Friday 25th March was the Raising Voices Exhibition at Catalyst Building on Staffordshire University’s Campus. It was a full day for community members to visit the exhibition of photos, clay and postcards which raise the voices of people experiencing poverty in Stoke on Trent. “We had an area set aside for people to listen to the Raising Voices Podcast along with displays featuring works of clay, postcards, poetry and reflections from a wellness session that Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

Autism Acceptance Week- Chris Burns

Autism is a neurological difference. It is not with big capital letters, a mental health condition. Autism is a spectrum of talents and abilities, some may have an associated learning disability (I have a fixed cognitive impairment on top of my autism) or be non-verbal. I can 100 per cent say just because a person doesn’t verbally communicate, it doesn’t mean they haven’t got something to say or share. However, autism impacts a life we Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

The APLE Collective share their expertise and insight with external partners.

Living in poverty has never been a life choice. The harsh realities faced by people living in poverty are indefensible and with this in mind, the APLE Collective’s mission statement clearly articulates the need and value of creating a lived experience of poverty network across the UK to raise awareness of poverty, reduce stigma and work with others to affect positive change. The APLE Collective are visionary and forthright in the actions they take and fully appreciate the need Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

Building Forward Together for IDEP 2021

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2021 is once again upon us and the APLE (Addressing Poverty with Lived Experience) is marking this day by amplifying the voice of those who often feel silenced. this year’s theme for #IDEP2021 is Building Forward Together: Ending persistent poverty, respecting all people and our planet. So what does building forward together look like? It is about being part of making decisions that impact on our lives. It Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

Poverty2Solutions #APLEMonth2021

Since 2016, Poverty2Solutions (ATD Fourth World, Dole Animators and Thrive Teesside) have been working alongside a graphic designer, an academic and a policy working to ensure the voice of lived experience of poverty and socio-economic disadvantage informs the debates that will have the power to create fairer policies. Poverty2Solutions value the untapped expertise in our communities and believe that: “It is important that people with lived experience are around the table when policies are made. They are Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

My Story of Hope- Poverty Truth Community

My story of hope is one that begins with my journey from being a mum, living in poverty, and trying to heal and sustain myself through campaigning for a better world.   The Poverty Truth Community empowered me by listening to me, acting with me, and believing in me; giving me the hope, strength, and guidance I needed to eventually find a job working with communities to create sustainable food systems.   This work has been both Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

Volunteer Stories- Davy (Poverty Truth Community) #VolunteersWeek

June 2021 Looking back, my time as a volunteer with the PTC (three years) was a happy and fulfilling one for me. I was part of a staff team that I valued but more importantly I felt part of a dynamic movement, which was shaped by people with lived experience of poverty, who shared a determination to bring about change. Poverty Truth Members (or Commissioners as they were then known) were crucial to everything I Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

Starting Point #APLEMonth2021

It has been nearly fifteen months since the start of the first Covid-19 lockdown in the UK. In that time we have seen a brilliant collective effort across our communities that should be remembered and celebrated, including the inspiring effort of key workers and kind neighbours. Yet as we look ahead, what challenges remain for our communities, what barriers have been created or have been exacerbated by the pandemic, and how much of that collective effort will Read more…

By aplecollective, ago