Blog

Untold Realities: RAPAR on the ‘Riots’

Exploring refugees’ experience amid recent riots, and the fear and isolation they endure in face of far-right movements.

Shadow of person sitting down on teh ground with hands on raised knees

Untold Realities: ‘Not Good Enough’

A poet from Thriving Women uses defiant words to challenge the failure of the “Fit to Work” system.

Untold Realities of Poverty in the UK Cover

The Untold Realities of Poverty in the UK

“The Untold Realities of Poverty in the UK”, written by members of GRIPP, reveals real-life stories of people facing poverty across the country. It aims to raise awareness of the challenges and show the resilience and contributions of those who live it every day.

“No veil over freedom of speech – but no violence”: GRIPP’s reactions to Anti-Immigration riots and counter-protests

As anti-immigrant protests and riots spread across the UK in summer 2024 mainly of our communities were effected. Here, members of GRIPP share their thoughts as events unfolded and reflect on how we want things to move forward.

Knowledge Provides Perspective by Sonia Dearling for IPPF x Fine Acts

What is ‘Learnt’ Experience in GRIPP? 

Building on GRIPP’s experience of realising and releasing knowledge held with communities of poverty, we have explored what a similar process could release for our Learnt Experience partners and colleagues.

Banning Bullies and Making Our Words Pop 

GRIPP members have been exploring the need for a new bottom up approach to create communication frames to shine a light on Poverty as a Human Rights Issue

Picture of notes from a meeting starting with 'We Do Not' and then listing around 20 pledge items.

“We will not, we will not… we will not do fluffy ‘values’ talk”

The members of GRIPP reflect on their November 2023 residential, and the “We Will Not” process they used to spark conversation.

Drawing a a women's head divided in two - in the middle is the earth connected to the two halves of the head. Beneath it reads "We are the solutions"

How do we know what we know? 

Members of GRIPP’s Knowledge Team share reflections and questions on how knowledge is generated and released within their Action Learning process…and why it is so important. 

Collage of various magazine and newspaper images, text across reads "Culture Wars"

They’re at it AGAIN!

GRIPP member shares frustration and analysis in response to the UK Government’s use of culture war tactics and the impact this has on communities, especially those living with disabilities

Cartoon drawing on birthday cake with pink icing. On top are lots of candles and the letters "Happy Birthday"

Happy Birthday GRIPP…kind of!

Some of GRIPP’s founding members, Amanda, Koldo and Patricia, reflect on the journey to reaching 5 years!

On light blue background, the text in black reads "We are parts of something bigger". Around are seperate sketches of a nose, an eye, an ear, a mouth, another eye and another nose

No Range Rover but plenty of drive!

One GRIPP’s newest member reflects on their first time away with the group – lots of laughter, work, exercise (!) but no range rover!

Featureless face in orange, with dark purple,black hair. Within the face are 7 figures on chairs with a small question mark by each, and one figure with a speech bubble

Regaining my Power: a reflection on Action Learning

Rahwa, member of RAPAR, reflects on her journey in GRIPP and regaining power through Action Learning.

Photo of Amnesty Magazine on desk in sunlight. The text in yellow reads "We are blamed for our ill health, for not working, for our broken families. We are blamed for our poverty when it is the state denying us these rights"

“We Can Speak for Ourselves” Amnesty UK platforms GRIPP’s voice

“The deepening conditions of poverty in the UK are a human rights violation.” Amnesty UK championing GRIPP’s message in their Summer members magazine.

Photo shows, Patricia, and Caitlin sat at table with laptops and papers in front of them, speaking with Rahwa over zoom

Our Communities Voices, direct to you, the UN

On Wednesday 8th March 2023, Patricia Bailey from ATD Fourth World UK, and Rahwa Beyene from RAPAR, spoke on behalf of GRIPP to the 72nd PSWG of the CESCR Review in Geneva.

Drawing of a large mountain, with forest and a few houses on it, upon a scate board. Four people stood and sat at the top, scarves blowing in the wind, all pointing forward. Caption reads "Together we can move mountains"

Climbing the Mountain: GRIPP’s first submission to the United Nations

In January 2023 GRIPP submitted its first ever evidence to the United Nations reporting violations of economic, social and cultural rights in their communities in the UK. Read about how we did it here.

Image shows a long straight road stretching out to the horizon, the central lines only drawn half way along bring dragged forward by a silouetted figure

Comrades in Adversity

Using Action Learning to unveil our knowledge and build solidarity as anti-poverty human rights activists

Cartoon image of a green frog wearing a crown, lips pursed ready for a kiss. A small heart floating above

Do we dare kiss the frog?

The first GRIPP residential brings discussion, deliberation and dancing and some pretty impressive outputs

Design on turquoise background, text reads People make up words, Don't make up people

What does poverty and human rights mean to you?

Through the co-design of the GRIPP project communities shared their undestanding Poverty and Human Rights to mean to them.

United Nations Buildling

Increasing Participation: Meeting With UN Committee Members

Meeting between group with lived experience of rights violations and members of the UN CESCR.

What is The UK Government Saying About Our Rights? A Synopsis

Explainer and commentary about the UK Government’s recent report to the UN CESCR.

Let's Bring Together Lived & Learnt Experience

Children’s Best Interests And The Right To Family Life Under Article 10 ICESCR

Study exploring the human rights tools behind ATD Fourth World and HRC University of Essex’s Human Rights Local research.

Abstract drawing of face using random shapes to create features. Sign reads "Words shape us, make them good"

Concepts Underpinning GRIPP’s Approach

How to we sustain a social movement through generating a new language from below?

Let's Bring Together Lived & Learnt Experience

Human Rights Local: Project Updates

Updates on the Human Rights Local project of the HRC University of Essex in 2020 & 2021, as well as what is planned for 2022.

We Need To Learn From Each Other

RightsBridge: Can We Create Meaningful Involvement In The ICESCR Review?

The fourth event in the #RightsBridge series, focusing on what meaningful participation of people with lived experience should look like.

People In Poverty Don't Ask to Be Poor

The Power And Impact Of Participatory Engagement with the United Nations

Conversation between Janet Nelson and ATD activists about engaging with the UN and impact of lived experience on policy makers.

Let's keep shining the light of ICESCR.

RightsBridge: ICESCR And Why It Matters

GRIPP RightsBridge Project Group meeting to discuss why the ICESCR matters and present talks from partners.

Poverty Does Not Mean Neglect

Defending Rights As A Parent-To-Parent Advocate

Nikki Hewson discussing how she defended human rights through parent-to-parent advocacy for Lewisham Council from 2012 to 2018.

The Story So Far Report - RightsBrdige

RightsBridge: The Story So Far

Summary of RightsBridge’s “The Story So Far” report, with information on each separate chapter.

Don't judge me because I live in poverty.

Bringing Together Lived and Learnt Experience

Webinar with experts in human rights, some of whom draw their expertise from their lived experience and were engaging for the first time with academics.

The Hostile Environment Created By The UK Government

RightsBridge: Cartoons Capture Discussion And Calls For Change

Capturing discussions of Building a Human Rights Bridge Out Of Poverty as cartoons by Graham Ogilvie.