Blog Posts

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

Chris Burns writes for #LearningDisabilityWeek

There was a news story and clip on the council’s website about someone with learning difficulties who had gone into supported accommodation in Penzance. The clip explained he liked cooking and loved HMV in Truro. My ganglion cysts on my feet caused me pain last night but I did some yoga in Saltash after l took some old hoovers to the recycling centre. (I did a bit of cobra and child’s pose and downward dog, Read more…

By aplecollective, ago

Learning Disability Week- Chris Burns

My journey in disability started with a phone call to a BBC radio station. It was about a death of someone with a learning disability. An investigation found that Cornwall had failed to protect the vulnerable individual properly. At the time it was rare for disability to speak openly and in the public arena. Now thankfully it is very different and learning disability has managed to have a presence in the arts (Sarah Gordy and Read more…

By aplecollective, ago
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