Feeling lost and empty.

[NewBeginning84]

Hi All

I have not been on here for quite a while as I have never been an open complainer, moaner or a person who can openly share their thoughts easily as that is not me. Since 8th August 2013 I had to claim JSA (Job Seekers Allowance) as I had my Employment Support Allowance taken away from me because I was given 13/15 points.

As you can imagine I was really annoyed because right from the start I knew I was unemployable as I do not have any GCSE levels, because of the government’s school children mentally and physically bullying me from year 2 to the beginning of year 8, only because I was the quite one with the surname of Flower.

Now I feel as though the government are harassing and bullying me because for 8 months now I have been going to the so called Work Programme which is a complete waste of time. As it is just like a Job Club where they get you to apply for jobs which you have been applying for since you started claiming JSA and that is it!! They do not bother to train or educate people so they are guaranteed a job by the end of it.

Makes me laugh that the Work Programme give you 2 years of support, I would like to know what support!?! as I have no need for it because I have been doing the same thing for the past year and eight months and have not had a single job interview!! Getting to the stage now where it is getting annoying, tiring, depressing and demoralising.

It does seem to now be effecting my personal life and productivity because I feel like a complete failure, a waste of space and a nobody. I have tried everything to get into employment without any success! Even if I tried to do GCSE Levels at a college or with a different provider I know that they do not have enough funds to support people with autism (Learning difficulties) like me, giving them one-to-one tutoring.

To be honest I feel lost and do not know what to do anymore to make myself feel better because I feel like a complete loser! Any thoughts of boosting my moral? Apart from trying to blow up Parliament which Guy Fawkes nearly successfully did. It was a shame that he was not successful as I recon we would be a lot happier today running our own Country and saving money not spending it!!

Kind regards,

NewBeginning84

[Finnian]

Hello -

I'm not from the UK but I know that in my country there are special programms and services that provide help for people with mental health issues or other handicaps. Everyone gets their own counsellor that helps that find a job, helps with applying for jobs, tells them what programms to participate in and things like that. It's like help for unemployed people but with special attention for people who are in need of special support.
Do you know if something like that exists where you live?

Another thing that comes to my mind that - while probably not helping you find a job - might help you to feel a bit better: complain, write letters to the people responsible, tell them how difficult it is for people like you and how left alone you feel and what you think needs to be done. Write to the council, start petitions, things like that ... it might not help immediately but at least you will be doing something and if enough people do that they might finally realise that they need to do something to improve your situation.

I hope things will get better for you.

[NewBeginning84]

Hi Finnian

Thanks for your reply, unfortunately in the UK they are not very supportive when it comes to people with mental health issues or other handicaps, hence no real, working, special programmes or services who provides GCSE levels as that would cost our government more money. In the governments work programme scheme I am seen as very employable without GCSE’s?? but for 1 year and 8 months wonders why I have had no interview!?!

If they said “You need GCSE levels, go to College”, I would say to them which is true “I have been to College to do several Adult Learning Courses, but found out when I wanted help there was always just 1 lecturer to help 15 people and there was always 1 who takes up the lecturers time throughout a session as they need more help than others. So there is no real one-to-one support for the people who need it.” Thanks I might write a complaint to the Council. Cheers.

All the best.

[Iamcatbug]

Have you tried talking to the autistic society? Or even contacting a local colleges learning support department to see what support they could offer you?

Legally they have to offer you support if you can prove that you have medical/mental/learning difficulties.

Also I find your statement that there is no support for people in the UK for people with mental health, especially in education or the workplaces very odd, as a UK resident this is the first I've heard of there being no support available at all! I know a lot of people who have access to support as and when needed both in education and at work.

[sherlock holmes]

I would first speak to your local council. They will have a programme for adult education for learners with learning disabilities, so it's worth seeing if they have any spaces on upcoming courses. Also ring around colleges as Cat said to find out what support they give to adults with needs (by law they have to provide help).

Regarding the job centre, they will have an advisor who specifically deals with adults with disabilities/mental health issues so ask to speak to them!

Also charities like Rethink have employment specialists so definitely find your local centre and go down there to talk to someone. They can help you find a job or training suitable to your needs.