Blog Posts

man holding a sign saying volunteers needed

Volunteering, a gateway for making a difference for others.

So, I’ve been volunteering for around five years now, in various formats, across different places and various organisations, some with payment for involvement, some just because I felt strongly about it… What do I get from this?… I get purpose, connection, friendship and validity.  I’m at a point where I have a bit of time to offer, which I know not everyone can have, so I am always interested in ways to learn new things, Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

What is APLE Month? #APLEMonth2023

APLE Month takes place every June and is a platform to showcase lived experience voices and promote member organisations and other groups that address poverty. It celebrates the collective fruits of our and others’ work, unifying, amplifying, and celebrating small wins in tackling poverty and inequality. APLE Month raises awareness, tackles stigma, and showcases the importance of lived experience voices. Just as tiny seeds grow into mighty trees, APLE’s voice for people grows, through lobbying Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

Care Crisis- Chris Burns

Is the care crisis being cemented by hostility towards those who need care and support? Unfortunately, the quotes were directed for real towards a vulnerable adult in Cornwall. This is not just an issue for Cornwall but for Plymouth and elsewhere too. When society sees people as not people then they simply become figures in the landscape. Social care may not be a deciding factor for Cornwall getting a Mayor. Would a Mayor make any Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

What exclusion really means- Chris Burns

Firstly, I wanted to say thank you for the film I made with Inside Housing. I know it has been shared widely and made more people want to share their stories of fuel poverty. The winds of change come when people boldly step forward (despite having to deal with the consequences of poverty and neglect). Exclusion is much more than having no Christmas presents under the tree or missing out on Black Friday sales. Exclusion means having Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

Chris Burns for Inside Housing’s Give Fuel Poverty A Voice Campaign.

“As part of Inside Housing’s Give Fuel Poverty a Voice campaign, sponsored by Aico, he talks about his concern about paying bills next year as energy prices rise.” “Earlier this year, he joined Aple Collective – a group of individuals who experience poverty and are working to eradicate it – to offer his artwork to explain his concerns for people with disabilities and how they often live in poverty as there isn’t the support.” Read the full article Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

Reflections on my first year with the APLE Collective.

Introduction: Hello everyone. I was kindly asked if I would do a short blog with my reflections on my first year with the APLE Collective. I joined APLE approximately 11 months ago as a representative of the Poverty Truth Community based in Glasgow.  I’ve got to say it’s been a roller-coaster of a year in one way or another.  My first introduction to everyone at the APLE Collective was at their first face-to-face meeting after Covid, which was Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

APLE at the APPG On Poverty #IDEP2022

During the week of International Day to End Poverty and Challenge Poverty Week APLE Collective visited the heart of government. We hosted the APPG Poverty on Wednesday 19th October at Portcullis House, APLE Collective members travelled the length and breadth of the UK, flying in from Glasgow and travelling by train from Cornwall to give just two examples of the tremendous effort our Collective have to go to have our voice heard. “I felt we were Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

Travelling to London for APPG on Poverty

It has been nearly a decade since I started to travel to London Independently. London starting another day, it also revealed humans sleeping on pavements. And from riding bikes to riding buses, data and debit cards are king in London. (not cash) I know the route petty well and if I could drive a train could probably sit in the driver’s seat. A lot has changed in that time, seek and electric high-speed have replaced Read more…

By aplecollective, ago
silhouette photography of group of people jumping during golden time

Human Rights for #IDEP2022

MONDAY 17 OCTOBER 2022  Good morning ladies and gentlemen and welcome to Glasgow Square this fine morning. I’ve been asked to say a few words about Human Rights in relation to poverty.  So, what are Human Rights?  I like to compare HR to water – something we know a lot about living in Scotland.  Water is something we take for granted here in Scotland.  It’s always there when we need it – just at the twist of the tap.  It Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

My experience so far with the APLE/Ada Field School- Brian Scott

Hi guys, I’ve been asked to produce a short blog outlining the field research being done between the APLE Collective and the Ada Lovelace Foundation.  So who is the Ada Lovelace Foundation?    Well, they put it a lot better than I can: From the Ada Lovelace website: About Ada Lovelace The Ada Lovelace Institute was established by the Nuffield Foundation in early 2018, in collaboration with the Alan Turing Institute, the Royal Society, the British Academy, the Royal Read more…

By aplecollective, ago