Changes

Some when I was told that the provider that I was doing the work programme through was going to change, but it wasn't clear when. This isn't the top layer but the people that I see. That is when I see them. My adviser said that I need not go in, but send a report about what I'd been up to every four weeks on my day. If there was something I thought they could help me with then I could get in contact. On Monday I received a text:


From ***, Please be advised all Fortnightly Review appointments have been cancelled. You will be contacted in the future with your next appointment.


I didn't know who *** were, but after internet search I realised it was my work programme provider.
Today I received a letter dated 30th May saying as of 31st May I was transferred to another provider and that until that date I could contact my original provider. It is 4th June today. AND yesterday I received a call from the new provider. They asked if I was still on Job Seeker's Allowance, I said no.... surely they have basic information? So I have an appointment on Monday. I don't know if one to one or in a group. I forgot to ask, but I would like to know. I know the building has lifts etc, to make it accessible, a huge plus from the other provider's impossible building. But they can't tell me what sort of lighting they have [for the one or two photosensitive souls such as I]


Expect an update next week.
I still wonder how much money the two tiers of organisations get for having me on their books doing nothing in particular.

still confused

I still don't know exactly what I'm supposed to be doing. My turn up rate isn't quite 50% because either unwell or they changed day & I couldn't do new one [this happened once]

Last week I changed my day because I am going away to do a short reading AND hopefully networking in my particular small slice of the art world. I've finally received a letter laying out my appointments until July but my changed appointment is for the afternoon of the same day. [on my account I had found the list of my appointments but they had all been chnaged to afternoons after I changed one of them].

Two companies - one of which is not based locally are getting paid money for me to be on the work programme, but I still can't see what they are doing. I have information for Open University's  Open Learn probably because I said having trouble with getting one particular academic book, the oneUniversity that has it doesn't take part in inter-library loan or the regional library passport, and because I want access to journals. Open Learn doesn't really help. Maybe for the hell of it I can do some of the little modules, but I do have a B.A and an M.A [and 2 HNDs]...I've dumped the idea of a Phd.Maybe, maybe... it might give me discipline, even basic courses can teach me things.

Also given links to Future Learn, Udacity, iSpot, Say Something in Welsh [I would like an intensive course with real people], Youtube Edu and Ted.

first “proper” session: confusion & disbelief

I had a telephone meeting two weeks ago – whilst away from home – I still wonder what it is all about. I keep being told that they are there to help me. I mentioned the physiotherapy appointment that I did not make because it clashed with a work programme day. I was told it would have been fine:  I could have just phoned/emailed to say that I had the appointment. But I do know that my contemporary in the next county [mentioned previously having to not go to her voluntary work to do a course on volunteering] took a short notice hospital appointment and is now being given a hard time. Of course she might not have rung to say she couldn’t come, I don’t know for sure. It is all a bit confusing. Does that mean it depends on your advisor? The providers? Mentioning providers reminds me of the layers of organisations involved here, and therefore the money. There is an overall provider for example Working Links or Job Fit then there is an organisation that actually “delivers” often local authorities of further education establishment. If you are on Jobseeker’s allowance then you also still have obligations there. This all seems like a lot of people making a lot of money out of the unemployed.


So to the session. I walked up the 6 wide slate steps to the back door. A surprised tutor let me in. I had no idea what I was supposed to do, but clearly I needed a computer near the fan to keep me cool. My dry eyes are so bad that I could say it wasn’t a good idea but as that means I need to wear glasses then it seemed like a good idea. I logged on and then opened the job search bit even though I don’t have to apply for jobs. It is interesting to find out what there is. My advisor asked why I had selected some of the categories last time as they were irrelevant – machine operators, labouring sort of jobs: because I was told to even when I said but these are unsuitable for me, well there might be something... Advisor showed me how to select sub categories there is even a category “artist”. I selected quite a few. Pressed search: 5 jobs. I did discover that I could ask for a diagnostic report for my Maths And English tests. It took a while for advisor to understand that I thought the test result wrong, I wasn’t  pleased with the maths score, I know my maths is no longer GCSE grade C to A standard and could judge that by the questions I answered. I was appalled at my |English result. Advisor said that I could take them  again. I forgot to do any of this!

I started to make a list of things I might need to learn to help me, a list of two: how to use Microsoft Publisher and Excel – I get by with Excel as a database and for simple accounts but if something goes wrong I don't know what to do. I discovered that no one is particularly trained to teach Publisher. But a start on finding ways of making the Work Programme useful to me.

The shocking occurrence:

I began to overhear a conversation that was of particular interest. I think it was the manager , certainly not someone I’d seen before, talking with possibly two clients [is that what we are?] but certainly to one. He was saying that next time they would not be able to use this back door – with the 6 wide steps, that they would have to use the front door and use the computers on the middle floor. I think there are only 4 or 5 computers on that floor. He continued by saying that there are the same amount of steps as when using  the back door. This is untrue, I would judge there to be 10 to12 steps, plus two more, they are also narrow and steep. One of the clients had very obvious walking difficulties and used a stick. There is also another advantage of the back door: if you come from the main street, as I do, there is no steep hill to walk down – or up again when you leave. SO this is contrary to what I had been told and was news to the tutors too. I asked to be let out the back door; the tutor said “nobody directly told me it’s not allowed”. No one has told me either. Wonder what will happen in a month’s time?

I think this has reached the point where I need to contact someone such as Disability Rights UK. The building is not suitable for people who use wheelchairs, walking frams, sticks – or any difficulty with steps/stairs by way of pain or fatigue..

Feelings & confusion

I was trying to write about how I felt about it all but so far haven't succeeded very well. Maybe because I’d rather not think about feelings in general.

There is a hemmed in feeling but I guess that’s what it’s about, keeping an eye on me. I still don’t know what is expected of me, what I am supposed to do on my monthly visits and what will be talked about on the phone in between. So: confusion.

Efficiency could be an issue. Not mine! At my first interview I said I was not free on Tuesdays until after the 2^nd July. When my letter arrived telling me of when the calls and appointments would be I phoned and asked some questions and pointed out again that I had a hospital appointment on the 2^nd so it might be difficult to have a phone conversation. At my induction I told the tutor to pass on the message that my advisor could phone between 9.30 and 10.30, on the Tuesday. I was rung later in the day – my father took the call [I am way past the age of living at home really, except to return to look after the aged parents, well it’s more like the other way round]. The work programme is there to help me. But with what?
 
My hospital appointment was with physiotherapy, He’s really good, it’s subtle, slow but steady – alongside medication. He wanted to make my appointment for 4 weeks time, it’ll be 5 weeks because of Work Programme. More confusion: what can I or can’t I do? What can I change? What takes precedence?  My short term plan says my health “mainly”: should I have taken the appointment he offered then phoned my advisor?

Who will be my tutor when I turn up for my next appointment? Who else will be there? Will I be able to find a sort of corner space where I feel safe and where there is low UV?

Induction day

I very quickly discover that there is no lift and that the only option of getting to the 2^nd floor not via the stairs was to go outside and round the building to the other side. After my last visit I needed to get to that road just behind the building but chose to go a long way round as the first bit is so steep. It is not a very useful option. Imagine a lane that starts at the side of the building at ground level and wraps round the building to the second floor – plus about 5/6 steps, maybe you get the idea. I have been told that I can enter there to start with, a flat walk [and 5/6 steps] from the high street – knock and hopefully someone will answer.  Stairs are ok but never done without thinking and sometimes quite painful – when my lower back is off steep slopes are difficult. I do things because I have to. There is fortunately a toilet for someone of my gender on that floor. So: the no steps entrance is on the ground floor as is the photocopier, reception and the accessible toilets. The interview space where I first went is on the first floor, the IT room on the second floor.

After a fiddle, a chair was found for me that I could adjust to a suitable height. They don’t seem to have wrist rests available. We were shown how to log into the programme that we will use. We looked at job categories – if I’d written down the website as well as my log in details I would be more accurate at explaining the job categories. It was suggested that we picked 3 possible areas including one that ended “machine operatives” – I said surely that is physical work, and was told there might be jobs in that area that I hadn’t thought about.

Being on ESA I don’t have to apply for jobs but I do need to do work based activities.

There was a place to put CVs I wasn’t sure if that was just for me to access or for staff as well, I only asked why was it/ was it necessary – I had one of my inarticulate moments...garble garble [my think speak capacity can be affected as can my listen comprehend, reading and writing seem ok]. I established that I could access my CV via email of online documents and as I wasn’t required to apply for jobs I didn’t have to have it in my online details.

Then came the tests in Maths and English. She said that they would adjust to ability so we would probably all take different times. I made some stupid mistakes in English and it didn’t take too long. The maths went on and on, I knew how to work out the volume of a cylinder, but due to a slightly woozy day just couldn’t pin down the noughts that were coming up so skipped that. Anyway 2 of the others finished well before me. My results were both Level 2: GCSE grades a – c. Yes that was  my maths level when I took O levels – yes I’m that old. I’d need coaching to get it up to scratch I reckon, there’s lots I wouldn’t be able to do - I didn’t understand all the terms for statistics on this test. So actually I think I’m under that score for maths. But the English, bloody hell! I have 3 O levels – language, literature, general literature; Use of English [sort of A level English Language] and A level English, not to mention the MA, the creation of academic writing and creative writing – and having taught contextual studies to first year degree students. How on earth did I do so badly?

Our maths and English result print outs are kept in a locked cabinet but our personal folders including user name and log-on are kept in an open filing cabinet for all to access. Hmm

I remembered to give them my new email address, but forgot about travel from the last visit and this one, also I forgot to hand in my completed data protection form. Even using a double folder with sort of in out tray system I forgot.

I left still not entirely sure what I will do on the visits there and what I will report on during the phone calls. Perhaps list the art listings that I’ve looked at, my grappling with a proposal and failing!

Future: I usually go away with my parents in the autumn for 3 or 4 weeks...I really can’t look after the house alone – coal and wood fire in a stone house, aside from no transport. What will happen?

starting

So I’m on the work programme and Employment & Support Allowance: ESA. Whilst on ESA I am expected to do work related activity but I don't have to apply for jobs.

What do I know about it? Negative reports in the press, a letter in December saying that I could/would be required to go on it and that it lasts 2 years. Also that they get paid by results and can check up on you after you have found work – that is called support I found at my first interview. I know someone my age in a similar position who would love to work but can’t so does voluntary work. She is on the work programme. She is being required o do a course that clashes with tha voluntary work – can you guess what the course is about? Yes, volunteering. But as the advisor at the jobcentre at the beginning of the year said, see if there is useful stuff, attend what you have to – so I have been attempting an open mind.

How much background to give? I have not properly worked for just over 10 years, before that I was unable to work full time due to health problems – I was self employed and sometimes, at the beginning, supported by my partner from the age of about 28 when I became ill. So not the best history! But I have 2 HNDs in design, a BA Hons in Fine Art [I nearly gave that up due to my health], a PGCE in post Compulsory Education and an MA in an obscure area of fine art – if I told you its title any anonymity would go out the window!! I gave up lecturing in HE & FE, working as an artist in schools and art residencies and making a lot of craft and art work

 

I experience pain in many parts of my body from head to toe, in varying amounts. I don’t look sick – just weird as I am photosensitive. Exercise can make me worse. But I am currently supported by a range of health care professionals and spending my own money on private medicine [via a GP]. My memory is not brilliant and there seem to be a few cognitive issues.

I saw an advisor whose function is to help those with disabilities who think they can get back to work in 6 months. After about 5 minutes she said she couldn’t see me following that route. So the Work Programme.

My first appointment started with a hint of difficulty as my knees were hurting and we went upstairs. In a small room we discussed a few things about my health from two sets of notes from 2 jobcentre interviews. The first being from 2012. We didn’t really discuss my health issues and problems just some points that were not understood from the forms. Then in a room where there were other people we went through the rest of the paperwork. I ended up having to briefly touch on my mental health issues. I wasn’t entirely happy.

Before this appointment I had had a phone call from the provider Job Fit and given my short term and long term goals. I wasn’t happy with how they had been translated. The short term was ok I was “concentrating mainly [their] addition] on my health”. Long term was not “teaching art & design” that was corrected to” art, design, education or an academic route via Phd”.

I left having signed things and not other things. I took the data protection stuff home with me. But realised I had signed: I will attend my work programme for the hours agreed. I also understand that I will complete periods of work placement during my time on the programme Without having established what this meant. A few days later I received a letter with appointments up until December – having first arranged an induction morning for 2 weeks later. There were telephone availability dates and physical visit appointments: 2 methods of contact per month. The attendance times were for 9.30, I phoned to say that this was difficult for me, that I would do the induction appointment at 9.30 but what could be changed about the others. It seems that it will be fine to go in at 10.30. The first phone appointment is for a day when I have hospital appointments – I did say this at the first appointment.

So all in all I was a bit confused or perhaps ignorant of what was expected of me and what I would do at the appointments that is what were the phone calls about and what would I do when I visited the centre. Yes I ought to have asked more questions, but I do get tired and inarticulate and forgetful. I also had not established where the lift was.