tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post5665668748382923833..comments2024-03-28T09:16:33.241+00:00Comments on Diary of a Benefit Scrounger: Welfare for the people, by the people - a ConsultationSue Marshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849801822216267250noreply@blogger.comBlogger222125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-30356251192368003372021-04-12T08:16:59.834+01:002021-04-12T08:16:59.834+01:00You did the a great work writing and revealing the...You did the a great work writing and revealing the hidden beneficial features of <a href="https://techealthinfo.com/direct-home-health-care-newport-news-va/" rel="nofollow">direct home health care newport news va</a>..<br />Bano blog househttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15040345171354731124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-24348584185941192772012-08-24T10:30:13.178+01:002012-08-24T10:30:13.178+01:00I have never at any point found any organisation o...I have never at any point found any organisation or individual which had both the ability and the will to read through my details, never mind understand them, still less actually managed to look for (notice I don't say locate) anything which might actually be something I could do for a living / even for free. Has anybody met anybody who has met someone useful? D Mahernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-10446698135428726472011-12-20T18:12:57.453+00:002011-12-20T18:12:57.453+00:00Dear Sue,
I know this is a late addition to this...Dear Sue, <br /><br />I know this is a late addition to this post, but I only discovered your blog this evening and felt I had to reply to at least this one. The last few hours I've spent at my laptop pouring over your blog have had me in tears at points. As someone not claiming disability benefits I was nervous about posting, but I hope my own experiences may be of some use.<br /><br />My husband an I are both unemployed, and have been for just over a year now. We are both physically healthy and able, and in our late 20s. <br /><br />I am an artist, I studied for four years to get a degree and now, five years later, still find myself applying (and being turned down) for cleaning jobs. I have worked in the past as a graphic designer, a script writer, a vinyl sign-writer, and a photoshop artist, but the jobs have simply dried up.<br /><br />Neither my husband nor I can drive. We live above a bookshop in Suffolk, have no TV, pets or children, spend £30 on food a week and cannot afford to use the heating. Our flat is part of a listed Georgian building and has no double glazing or insulation. Moving is not an option as everywhere in our area is more expensive than our current rent. The powers that be tell us that our housing benefit (£150 short of the amount needed to pay our monthly rent) is the maximum allowed "for our needs" - it is based on what they say a couple should need, not on the rent itself or location of property. <br /><br />I shudder to imagine anyone elderly or frail living in similar conditions. <br /><br />After about 5 months of robotic signings at the jobcentre I was sufficiently emboldened by desperation to ask about schemes for self employment. I designed a website from scratch, designed and printed cards, and arranged to have my artwork shown in a well known militaria show. The jobcentre sent me to a session at a local support group for those looking to venture into self employment... which was shut down weeks later.<br /><br />I heard about a new upcoming scheme from the government aimed at financially supporting the newly self employed... which turned out to be a complete con. Apparently I would have to move from JSA onto the new allowance - which would then be considered as EARNINGS by the jobcentre and be deducted from my husband's JSA. <br /><br />It is so hard, so complicated, and so soul destroying to make yourself heard and understood by these people, when all we all want is support to work from home.Emilyhttp://www.viciousndelicious.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-57938327750249082822011-08-15T13:54:20.504+01:002011-08-15T13:54:20.504+01:00I'm probably a little late in posting a commen...I'm probably a little late in posting a comment here, and haven't read all the previous comments due to a poor attention span but here is my opinion:<br /><br />I think the government should make it easier to work from home.<br /><br />The angle I'm coming from here is one of being at the beginning of life changing illness (potentially rheumatism/autoimmune/connective tissue disorder/ME, just endlessly waiting for appointments, tests and referrals atm). I've had the most difficult year of my life so far - was off sick from work for 6 months, been back for 7 months now but only 1 or 2 4hour shifts per week, and struggling to even do that. It is not that I am adverse to working (although I do dislike my job - it was only ever intended as a stop-gap whilst I searched for something better) I just can't physically do the demanding, fast paced, customer facing work that is required.<br /><br />I would love nothing more than to be able to work from home on my own business, building something that gives me a sense of purpose, uses the skills I spent so long training for at college and university, and that I can adapt to fit my energy and ability levels when I need to.<br /><br />The problem here is it is so difficult to find out how you go about working from home due to endless rules, regulations etc etc that I have literally gone round in circles for months whilst looking into it. There is also a problem if, like me, you live in a private rented property there is nearly always a clause stating you cannot work from home, full stop.<br /><br />I think this needs altering to allow for people who struggle with inconsistent energy levels and fluctuating symptoms that make it difficult to plan ahead and be consistent. It could be greatly beneficial allowing people to work at their own pace as needed and also would help to give a sense of purpose without too much pressure to achieve the targets of on employer.<br /><br />There needs to be more freedom to work in different ways to the 'normal' 9-5 slog.Diananoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-63821073210508723012011-08-02T16:51:07.600+01:002011-08-02T16:51:07.600+01:00I can't read all these scare stories and am tr...I can't read all these scare stories and am truly depressed after years of Tribunals and DWP medicals, I am yet again going to face more. The thought of it fills me with dread now as the clinics have discharged me and I've no medical support except my GP. I am writing this anonymous not to draw attention to myself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-16336984872443229172011-06-14T22:13:42.972+01:002011-06-14T22:13:42.972+01:00Contd… I think the important thing to remember wit...Contd… I think the important thing to remember with any idea put forward is the practicalities of it. It's not just about an idea, however wonderful. It's about paperwork, money, and making sure the system isn't being abused. If ideas are to be taken from here to the government, they need to be in a workable state, or I just can't see them listening.<br /><br />Wow, sorry for rambling. I hope there's something of use in here - I feel so passionate yet so helpless with the state of benefits.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-2830924760085447572011-06-14T22:13:12.813+01:002011-06-14T22:13:12.813+01:00Sorry I'm a bit late arriving at this entry, b...Sorry I'm a bit late arriving at this entry, but want to add my tuppence :) I haven't been able to read all the comments, but what I have managed has been fascinating.<br /><br />I am relieved to hear you will still be defending people who aren't able to work, this is mightily important. Just because some ideas can help some people, does not mean everyone can work, however willing they are.<br /><br /><br />I think the idea of DWP and NHS working together without ATOS is in many ways absolutely wonderful. I have had many negative experiences with ATOS, and it makes sense for the DWP to get their info from the medical workers we see.<br /><br />My one point of concern is this… Me and my husband both suffer from ME, and as such know many other sufferers. The problem with ME is that there are still members of the medical profession who struggle to accept it's existence, and it is not always possible to be under medical care (due to lack of provision), or there is simply no help the medical profession can give. In this situation, the NHS records may not provide the level of information and help needed to enable the ill person to access benefits. There would need to be something else to back this up, maybe?<br /><br /><br />The ATOS medicals rip your dignity to shreds. Do they not think it's difficult enough being a young person using a walking stick without telling them to "pull themselves together" when they get spasms of pain from being made to sat up for a medical?! OK, slight side rant… The medicals need to be more appropriate for ill people - sitting up for that amount of time is just not always possible.<br /><br /><br />Following on from the flexibility idea, I think benefits should be scaled with return to work. For example, say in a years time a person could earn enough to live off, but to reach that point they need to build it up gradually over a year. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe atm if they start earning that money they would have their benefits stopped. Why can't benefits just top it up until they are earning enough themselves??<br /><br />OK, my husband's just pointed out the scaling idea could be impractical with paperwork. Could it be worked so that if you wish to partake in this scheme, every month you visit the Job Centre with proof of your "extra earnings" that month, and it is maybe knocked off the benefit you receive the following month? I realise this would be very vulnerable to scams… But say after 12 months you would have to show whether your business idea had worked or not? If you are at a point where you feel able to continue with your work and are earning enough to support yourself, but the money you have been reporting monthly doesn't reflect this steady increase then you could try and track those playing the system.<br /><br />I just feel that the freedom to start ventures knowing that it's not sink or swim would provide more opportunities.<br /><br /><br />The stress of the current system, the idea of scroungers, the horror of Atos - it just exacerbates stress and anxiety, making so many ill people that much worse. The fear needs to be taken out of the system.<br /><br /><br />Another resource missing is lack of funding in the NHS. Both me and my husband know access to certain treatments (varying from homeopathy, osteopathy, chiropractor, hydrotherapy, massage) would improve our health tenfold, yet we're being told there is no funding available for it. Add to that, theres barely any funding into biomedical research of ME full stop!<br /><br /><br />We want to work. We have big dreams, and they are being crumpled by being ill, not being able to support ourselves without the government, not being able to afford what we want in life… We'd give anything to make our mark on the world, but we feel so ill we just don't see how. Contd…Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-45694928377286927072011-06-14T18:56:11.197+01:002011-06-14T18:56:11.197+01:00I promise that EVERYTHING I write will make that p...I promise that EVERYTHING I write will make that point like a sledgehammer. This is for those that choose it. Anyone with a diagnosed, long term condition or disability should be given whatever support they would like. Forcing us is pointless and unforgivable.Sue Marshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14849801822216267250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-66508253928472607792011-06-14T17:54:49.914+01:002011-06-14T17:54:49.914+01:00excellent blog - but please,please, don't forg...excellent blog - but please,please, don't forget those who are too ill to work. My fear is that if these ideas are seized upon by politicians they will just exclude the sick and leave them without support. I can hear them saying -<br /><br />"Well you came up with the idea that everyone can work, even a little, so that's what everyone must do"...<br /><br />just a word of warning!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-4035310214104935672011-06-06T11:32:36.077+01:002011-06-06T11:32:36.077+01:00Also, I know this is going off the subject but I r...Also, I know this is going off the subject but I really feel that all of this marketisation and capitalism forces people who would identify as having a disability to feel worthless to society (which only leads to further depression, anxiety and hopelessness). It crushes ones soul. It feels like being able to work is synonymous with proving one's worth to society and not being a 'scrounger'. This just isn't true and I HATE IT. <br /><br />I have it shadowing over myself too and I'd really like to set something up to make people feel like they do have worth - values should not be set in capitalism but how amazing people can be, how kind they can be, what they give to other people, how talented they are, how wonderful and selfless they can be and make other people happy...Bullfinchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-13315259724482262582011-06-06T11:19:41.324+01:002011-06-06T11:19:41.324+01:00I have often thought how great it would be if many...I have often thought how great it would be if many unskilled(?) home-jobs could actually be saved for the disability 'market' - urgh, I hate to use that word, but you know what I mean. I don't know how practical this would actually be, especially for everyone but it feels like it could be a step in the right direction. Though saying that, I don't think I personally could do enough 'home' work to earn a living. If it was left to the state to sort out, it'd probably be hideous soul-sapping exploitative kind of work anyway (which would likely worsen most conditions).<br /><br />Another idea I've just had is setting up a charity/collective whereby disabled people make things to sell and the money gets shared out, including donations. Though that's probably a wild and unrealistic concept.<br /><br />I would really like to do a course to gain a skill I can use myself and work from home, funnily enough I really do want to do some kind of work. Even if it means pushing myself and potentially making myself more ill. I want to feel more normal, I don't want people to assume this is a 'lifestyle choice', I want to have SOMETHING to focus on. I'm SICK of society misjudging me and having to hide myself from MOST people. Unfortunately if I do do this (for my own benefit and self-esteem) then it will effectively set a year timer on my ESA, and when I get reassessed it will go against my favour at 'proving' my disability. Gosh they really make it easy for people don't they...<br /><br />My previous experience of work was HORRENDOUS, so I went to university because I had no other option. At the time I was denied incapacity benefits. I distinctly remember one of the jobs I had I got sacked primarily based on my disability.<br /><br />I think that disabled people have basically become the untermenschen. It's all to do with power relations I think, we are worthless to the market and 'work-force' (well, I don't actually think these things myself by the way, I'm just placing some context on it). And society and the state can inflict the most enormous oppression and power over us. Society is so apathetic towards disabled people, I mostly blame shitty state and private media outlets for undergoing a smear campaign. It's so obvious what they're doing.<br /><br />One final idea I've had recently is a 'Stop the Hate' type of campaign - trying to raise awareness of disabilities, debunking myths and debunking the lies that get churned out from the government and right-wing press. I think a good angle to go at is that most people will probably know someone or have a family member that has a disability, so that will bear some kind of real-life relation.<br /><br />And lastly my final point is that clearly, medical assessments NEED to be nationalised. Not only that but the aftermath of it too (you know, the 'pathways to work' bullshit). I set up a campaign for this on 38 Degrees but it barely got any votes. Hm :/Bullfinchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-35862095462218374892011-06-04T18:56:38.986+01:002011-06-04T18:56:38.986+01:00I work, but because I have to be home based my ear...I work, but because I have to be home based my earnings are limited. I want two things from the government. The first is real encouragement for companies to hire home workers (I'm a professional writer so there's no real reason why I should need to be in a supervised office). The second is for people like me, who are well enough to work but too ill to enjoy the advantages most others have in the job market, to cease being expected to support others. The fact my partner is too ill to work means that, in financial terms, I am basically working for nothing (in fact I'm actually poorer than I would be otherwise); and this will remain the case unless I am able to earn eight times the average disabled person's income. What kind of sense does that make? How does that encourage working? It's nonsensical. It's also contrary to a professed interest in family values. If my partner and I split up we would both be considerably better off; we would also start costing the government money for care which we now provide for one another. So I am being penalised (a) for working and (b) for being committed to my relationship. Is this really the kind of society we want?Jennie Kermodehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05749433298618601756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-47604942176038667882011-05-28T08:54:27.031+01:002011-05-28T08:54:27.031+01:00I have worked in the welfare to work sector for tw...I have worked in the welfare to work sector for two years, and have dealt with people transferring from Employment and Support allowance and Incapacity benefit to Jobseeker's allowance on a daily basis. I also have an 'invisible disability' which causes frequent seizures - so know something of both sides of the coin.<br /><br />The Psycho-social model does have something to add to the equation, but should never be seen as the complete answer to the problem: I see many people who have 'become' their disability or illness and are resigned to the fact that they 'can't do anything' - and this includes social activities as well as work.<br /><br />I also see many people who have been on some form of 'disability benefit' for over ten years but the original problem has been cured for a considerable time! (one in particular was a manual worker who had been put on ESA due to a hand injury - the injury had healed and had no long-term effects and yet he was still claiming benefits when perfectly able to work). Sadly, it is these cases that the media love!!<br /><br />I have been extremely fortunate that my latest employer has been very supportive - although the 'system' has meant that I have been disciplined for having time off due to ill health!<br /><br />I have often said that what I could really do with is some kind of fund that I could resort to when needed - something that would top up my earnings when I have to take time off for hospital admissions or just when Statutory Sick Pay doesn't come into play. My own health condition means that I often have the odd day off - and this is not covered by SSP.<br /><br />I have found that 'two tick' employers, who by definition are supposed to be 'disability friendly', are happy to employ people who are visibly disabled but in good health - but far less likely to employ someone with a recurring and inconsistent health condition.<br /><br />What is really needed is a system that can be tailored to individual needs - I don't necessarily need a constant benefit - so paying me DLA is useful to me but expensive for the state. <br /><br />There also needs to be some kind of financial support for employers who are willing to take on workers who may need a lot of time off - you cannot run a business successfully if you are never sure when or if your employees are going to be in to work! An employer still incurs costs when an employee is off sick - and having to employ bank or temp staff is an additional cost that many just cannot afford.<br /><br />A 'one size fits all' approach to welfare just does not work. Recent changes to JSA mean that the support on offer (not necessarily the financial support, just the support into work side of things) is becoming more tailored to individual needs - it would be wonderful if the disability support services, including financial support, could do the same.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-6080123750805230162011-05-26T18:27:14.455+01:002011-05-26T18:27:14.455+01:00J - I think that hits the nail exactly on the head...J - I think that hits the nail exactly on the head<br />"I suffer from depression, and I can't work due to it. It would be fabulous if there were some type of work I could do from home, on a part time basis (like 100hrs a month or something)... answering emails or comparing prices or online shopping or something like that. If a company said "hey, why should we pay for an office space, when people sit at their desks all day. they could do that from home" and I could just invoice for the hours that I do. "<br /><br />I'd been thinking exactly along those lines myself.Sue Marshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14849801822216267250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-53213549786256781892011-05-26T13:05:39.010+01:002011-05-26T13:05:39.010+01:00...
Bringing back apprenticeships would benefit e...... <br />Bringing back apprenticeships would benefit everyone I think. I know a lot of folk who are now sick with mental illness because they came out of school, couldn't find work, weren't smart enough for university and don't do well in an education environment. Again, this is just to make a more flexible approach to helping people find work. If the government could come to us and say "there isn't any excuse for not being work, we have all these wonderful programs for you with a lot of flexibility and we offer you a lot of help." Ok, they wouldn't say that to sick people because THEIR GPS WOULD HAVE SIGNED THEM OFF. Even the so called "junkies" could work, because there would be a flexible system of work so they could work when they weren't high! What's wrong with that?<br /><br />The most important thing that has to change is the attitude the DWP has towards people on benefits. It is NOT very much money. At all. So I don't understand why they keep suggesting that people go on benefits because they are lazy and can't be bothered to work. Because people who are ill and disabled get lumped in with this 0.5% of folk who are playing the system, we are not taken seriously. How can they expect us to work or to look for work if they don't take our efforts seriously?Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01354209231824879182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-1868866245073024542011-05-26T13:05:10.743+01:002011-05-26T13:05:10.743+01:00Thank you for your fabulous article. You are one o...Thank you for your fabulous article. You are one of the few people who has actually looked at CHANGING the idea that everyone on benefits is a junky or just lazy. <br /><br />On of the first things I think need to happen is that the DWP needs to start listening to the doctors who diagnosed you in the first place. It makes no sense to employ all these doctors who diagnose and prescribe, only to have to go to a "back to work interview" (read: why are you lying to us, you layabout) where you are interrogated, and as you said, deemed fit to work if you CAN do anything, it doesn't matter if it hurts or makes you worse. The GPs should be the ones saying if you are fit for work or not.<br /><br />Secondly, I actually LOVE the theory of the government/DWP helping people who are ill/disabled find work again. I suffer from depression, and I can't work due to it. It would be fabulous if there were some type of work I could do from home, on a part time basis (like 100hrs a month or something)... answering emails or comparing prices or online shopping or something like that. If a company said "hey, why should we pay for an office space, when people sit at their desks all day. they could do that from home" and I could just invoice for the hours that I do. Ok I realise that this isn't logical, but it's an idea.<br /><br />as was said in some of the other posts, people who are ill have good days and bad. We (generally) WANT to go back to work, we WANT to earn money. We don't WANT to sit and home twiddling our thumbs waiting to get better, but the pressure on us TO get better makes things psychologically worse. If there was a way where we could work on the good days, and not on the bad, that would be wonderful, and would hopefully help with many of the depressive symptoms many people suffer with disability/mental illness/post-surgery/etc.<br /><br />For people perhaps with disability, free retraining would be fabulous, and this idea that you've got to be unemployed for 6 months before you can get trained is preposterous. Surely the DWP wants you to get to work as fast as possible. Often if you're out of a job, it's because there is no longer any call for your trade? <br /><br />It just seems the completely wrong direction for the government to be going in. There's an economic crisis, so unemployment has risen dramatically. what is the government's reply? cut the benefit system, cut the funds for helping people find work, cut the housing benefit so people can't live where there is work (any one wondered why the cheap areas are cheap? perhaps it's because there is no industry or jobs there?), and forget the sick and disabled because they're just leaching the money earned by good hard-working, Tory voting people. That's unfair, I take the Tory voting thing back.<br /> cont...Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01354209231824879182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-29501303930765772312011-05-26T02:09:28.928+01:002011-05-26T02:09:28.928+01:00first off i would abandon the WCA cos its flawed. ...first off i would abandon the WCA cos its flawed. I like broken of britains ideas about seeing the person 'holistically'. I'd like someone to really listen to my difficulties, i need a ccarer, for example, to do many jobs around the house, when i am out, cos currently its not safe for me to be out alone due to risk of falls/my legs packing up. i would like money to pay for this essential care. I would like to be treated with dignity and respect by govt workers or their contracted workers like A4E, ATOS or whoever. I would like my doctors report to be taken more seriously by those that decide how much financial assistance i receive from the govt.fizz's bloggy bitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15448717824984604394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-6151508098483710612011-05-26T00:35:06.542+01:002011-05-26T00:35:06.542+01:00Re @fourbanks "All hospital correspondence wi...Re @fourbanks "All hospital correspondence will also be available so that their are no errors being made with the medical assessment"<br /><br />This is of course assuming that one's medical records are without error, and can be found!MRadclyffehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17126379767555168530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-30319425646871687652011-05-26T00:26:42.456+01:002011-05-26T00:26:42.456+01:00@UK_Exile
I apologise. It's an auto-correction...@UK_Exile<br />I apologise. It's an auto-correction programme on my Mac and I usually delete them all before I paste my post into the reply box. This time, I was remiss and did not. Sorry. I did not mean to cause offence.MRadclyffehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17126379767555168530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-7588725938898031472011-05-25T23:21:41.661+01:002011-05-25T23:21:41.661+01:00Hi Sue, I just want to say that you are doing a go...Hi Sue, I just want to say that you are doing a good job, keep it up!:)<br />Having read a lot of the above comments it's so apparent that disability has changed a lot of lives and the current system doesn't seem to be geared towards the individual and their set of circumstances. I found the Atos assessment very depressing and felt that they wanted to put me into a 'category' which wasn't wide enough to encompass all the variations of my illness. I have osteoarthritis of both knees and one hip and until I experienced this for myself had absolutely no understanding of the pain involved. It has been life changing.<br />From my experiences over the last 18 months I don't think that the NHS has a handle on arthritis care and pain management. I have tried different medications and find that I have two choices, not so much pain and no brain or pain and a brain. I think that I could cope with the not being able to walk bit better if I wasn't either knocked out by drugs or fatigued from pain. I could perhaps then consider working again although I would need retraining as I was no longer able to do the job that I am trained to do as I am physically incapable.<br />The Atos assessment should be scrapped and the Government should take notice of our GPs and consultants who know us as individuals and our histories and who are under hypocratic oath and presumably trustworthy to make the judgment of whether we are fit for work or not because they know us and our health issues. This would spare us of what I see as a discriminatory practice of assessment and 'pigeon holing' to the nth degree our disabilities, when in fact the reason for these degrading assessments is really to see if we're faking and willing to defraud the country. Just look at my x-rays people!!<br />I had the thought 'Why doesn't the Government understand the needs of those with debilitating health issues?' and came to the conclusion that they probably have private health care and as such different experiences of doctor's visits from those of us unable to afford it. This is very sad as those currently in the position of making policies and practices concerning health assessment presumably don't have our shared experiences of a flawed health system. Please don't get me wrong, the lovely people working for the NHS do a good job under the circumstances but they are very underfunded and this causes lots of problems.<br />I personally believe that had I had different health assessments at the START of my 'illness' I would still be at work.<br />I think I have just laterally thought my way to a solution - get the Government to give private health care standard NHS service and perhaps some of us would be able to stay in work for longer! I think that's the real problem, they say they can't afford to and blame benefit scroungers for defrauding the system and then pay Atos to wheedle out the fraudsters in the guise of making health assessments that have already been made by doctors and consultants. How cost effective is this when there are already inspectors employed to do this? The money could be better spent on services for early diagnosis.<br />Thank you for reading this. Good luck with everything you are trying to do.Sandranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-69766392778291006722011-05-25T15:17:00.721+01:002011-05-25T15:17:00.721+01:00in fact make counselling training (at least up to ...in fact make counselling training (at least up to the 2 certificates needed to go on to do the diploma) part of the training for anyone in the role of supporting people in welfare and well being. This would need to be phased in but once it was up and running it would bring community back and create a less us and them society. <br /><br />A place where people would feel comfortable and safe going, even people who worked or didn't need to work could go and be a part of it. Small businesses could be helped through it, people who need support to run a business due to health factors could be supported by able bodied people. Benefits could be more flexible. We could benefit each other through it and put an end to the isolation so many feel abandoned in...Peace Artist Laineyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01752499118846572098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-87066057182932382292011-05-25T15:05:04.408+01:002011-05-25T15:05:04.408+01:00something I said a long time ago was that the jobc...something I said a long time ago was that the jobcentre could become a better place to go to, it could be a place where people get help rather than sanctions and stress, offering counselling independent of the jobcentre, drop in centre, a safe place. It could be a place where people who for whatever reason are unable to work but can offer an hour here or there in particular ways to be put together with someone who needs their services and people who need someone to come in and change a light bulb, change their bed, a bit of gardening whatever can be matched with someone able that they feel comfortable with, over the phone, via the net ~ possibly even skype or in the centre. No sanctions if someone is unable to participate and expenses for those who do. Maybe it would need to be a different organisation but I just felt how wonderful if the place you go to get support or welfare did actually support our welfare and well being. That workshops would be easily accessed through, yes further education too, not just for disabled but for single able bodied people caught in the catch 22. I was able to go to college when I was a single parent but had I been single would have had to work through college full time college and a full time job or several part time ones. I did have one night a week bar work but that is besides the point. A place where they genuinely support people back to work where appropriate or help them find vocational courses and activities they can mange in the mean time but NOT FORCE or decide for the person what they are capable of....in general treat us as adults and not like naughty children...Peace Artist Laineyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01752499118846572098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-49010335797239179812011-05-25T11:26:38.673+01:002011-05-25T11:26:38.673+01:00Other things that can work well in that sort of co...Other things that can work well in that sort of cooperative, as long as there are procedures and practices established to provide continuity and consistency of service, include a fair amount of computer work, especially at the software end (sysadmining, support and maintenance, even development), and also the kind of think-tanking work already discussed. There's probably still more.Sam Barnett-Cormackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01904395421765346531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-56056189570123807572011-05-25T09:45:34.395+01:002011-05-25T09:45:34.395+01:00It definitely seems to be a theme and I think a re...It definitely seems to be a theme and I think a really, really interesting idea. Keep going on this one guys. <br /><br />Also, no-one has mentioned re-training or education. Obviously it wouldn't help everyone, but as we've said lots of times, that's why we need a much more tailored, flexible system. If retraining or educational alternatives had been offered at the point of becoming unable to work, I wonder how many people could have extended their working lives?Sue Marshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14849801822216267250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-65683929478348174612011-05-24T23:49:13.189+01:002011-05-24T23:49:13.189+01:00as I had mentioned before; there's definitely ...as I had mentioned before; there's definitely wider scope. I worked as a home typist for some time, but the problem with that is it's apparently cheaper to send the work offshore and pay a pittance than pay people here a decent wage. However it's not difficult to set up and there is software out there which digitally "shreds" sensitive material. For a while it worked for me as I hate talking on the phone - typing was fine however.<br /><br />There's still a fair bit of scope; the run-by-ourselves cooperative has been brought up quite a few times in the thread and it's worth maybe pooling that together and figuring out how it could work. I can see a fair bit of range with the idea.Oya's Daughterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01184649716540468970noreply@blogger.com