Shaw Trust

russula

I have been on Incapacity Benefit for a few months now. This is the first time in my whole life (over 35 working years) that I've ever been unable to work and had no choice but to claim IB. During these few months I have received two communications in the post from a charity called Shaw Trust. The implication of these letters is that I should be working rather than claiming benefits.

It's hard enough already to cope with the indignity of being in this situation, and the Shaw trust is adding to my distress by making me feel as though I'm a benefit scrounger.

What I don't understand is, who gave them (or allowed them to have) my details? When I applied for IB, I don't recall signing anything that said my details could be passed to third party organisations.

Shaw Trust say they are in partnership with Job Centre Plus. I must therefore assume that is where they got my info from? Why am I being hounded to 'get a job' when I'm less than a year on IB? This seems totally unreasonable to me. Coping with a dramatically altered lifestyle due to illness and having to claim benefits is bad enough, without having these people rubbing my nose in it. Is this normal practise - to hound genuinely ill people and make them feel like they have committed a crime?

cw18

I've never heard of them, but the only time I was in receipt of IB was Oct '07-Jan '08 so it could be a new thing with the ESA having come in to replace IB in the last few months.

If I were in your shoes I'd be contacting Job Centre Plus to check the claim they're in partnership with them !!!

lukieboy96

Shaw trust have charity shops. They offer voluntary work in their shops. they also have computer courses, art and help with CV's etc at the back of the shop.

I know this because i am currently off work and my care coordinator took me to their shop in my town to show me it, what they do etc. There was absolutely NO pressure to go there! It can help to build up confidence etc when you feel ready.

I wasn't ready. Have never received anything in the post. I did receive an information pack from them when i went there.

I am not sure why you are receiving thngs in the post.

this is a good organisation to help people.

beverleyhills

It is a national charity that works with employers and Social Services to enable and support people with disabilities to find suitable employment.

dmg24

I think that you are misinterpreting these communications. As others have said, ST are an organisation that will help you look at your work options, either for now or in the future. They will not force you into a job that you are not fit to do.

russula

beverleyhills wrote: »

It is a national charity that works with employers and Social Services to enable and support people with disabilities to find suitable employment.

This may be so, but it doesn't answer my question of why they are sending me things in the post. If I am expected to be out working, why was my claim for IB even granted? It doesn't make sense to me to grant IB and then start sending letters implying that you should be getting a job.

russula

dmg24 wrote: »

I think that you are misinterpreting these communications. As others have said, ST are an organisation that will help you look at your work options, either for now or in the future. They will not force you into a job that you are not fit to do.

I am not, at this stage, saying that Shaw Trust are anything but genuine.
But they are not just letting me know of their existence. They are dangling financial carrots to entice me to work. That is what makes me feel so bad. As if I am someone who would rather live on benefits than work!

I am simply trying to understand why this is happening. Why are they assuming that I will be able to work? Do they have any idea what my illness is? Do they know all my health details?

bizywizy

I have periodically received bits from either job centre plus or some one else offering courses ect. At first I was OMG I cant work do they think I can, do they think I am defrauding the system ect ect but then I have realised its a circular that goes out to all claimants irrespective of the reason they are on IB. I am currently unable to work and cant see that changing in the near future unfortunately - these letters dont help as it only rubs salt into the wound that I cant work. each time one of these arrives it still makes me feel incredibly guilty.

I think this is because we are genuine. Those that are scroungers and are work capable but scamming the system wont take any of these letters at face value and just assume that they dont mean them.

If its not for you right now bin it or file it for when you are feeling up to it.

[Deleted User]

I wouldnt read anything too sinister into the letter from ST,I had a letter from the at the beginning of the year and as I know that i`m in no way ready for work i just binned it.they are a charity that as far as i know work with the JC+,as do other charities,to help people find work if they are getting to a position where they are ready to return to work.
I`m almost sure that when you sign on for benefits you agree that they can share information with other agencies(??)

russula

Thanks bizywizy, you clearly have some understanding of how I'm feeling.

It is insulting to say the least, to get a letter telling you how much better off financially you would be if you were working. As if I don't know that already! That's how I was able to buy my own home, pay council and income taxes etc.

But now I am unable to work due to illness, it feels as though I'm being treated as a benefit scrounger. Yes I realise it is a circular type letter. It doesn't make it any less distressing to know that you are being targeted as if you were not genuine.

As I said, coping with illness every day and night is hard enough in itself.
I guess I just needed to vent - thanks everyone

healy

russula wrote: »

I am not, at this stage, saying that Shaw Trust are anything but genuine.
But they are not just letting me know of their existence. They are dangling financial carrots to entice me to work. That is what makes me feel so bad. As if I am someone who would rather live on benefits than work!

I am simply trying to understand why this is happening. Why are they assuming that I will be able to work? Do they have any idea what my illness is? Do they know all my health details?

Yes they can send you these letters as they are Pathways to Work providers working for the DWP. They are not assuming that you are able to work right now but that you maybe in the future. I think they just have a list of people so doubt they would have details of your illness.