Do I still fit in here if...

ceridwen

Olliebeak wrote: »

One of the posters on here was recently involved with a 'Focus Group' (not quite sure what it was about though) and was paid a really good rate for the involvement PLUS she was really well fed during the day. They were all allowed to 'take leftovers home' at the end of the meeting as well.

That kind of thing could perhaps be useful as well .

In the meantime, good luck and God Bless for Monday, Cecilia ((((HUGS))))

Though one point to make about Focus Groups - if one can find one - is that, as I understand it, they are things run by advertisers/the like to help them be better able to flog their products to the public. I may be getting it wrong here - but I wondered about this briefly and then decided not to bother - as I didnt want to help commercial interests with advertising in any way. Faith may have the same "reservations" as me on this. (I buy things - as do we all - but didnt like the thought of doing anything to help the "Consumer Society"....).

Anyways - good luck Faith on Monday. (See my P.M. to you).
I'm wondering if one is allowed to take someone in to the interview with you - been ages since I've been in that position myself? If so - is there anyone who could just tag along for moral support? - maybe your local priest/vicar...

23rdspiral

ceridwen wrote: »

Going WWOOF'ing in other words - as in "working weekends on organic farms". That may be a possibility for faithcecilia - I dont know how things would work out on the benefit front if she did this - but its certainly worth investigating. There is a website specifically about WWOOFing I know - having looked at it myself.
http://www.wwoof.org/

Thanks Ceridwen, i just couldnt remember the name! it costs to sign up and see the contact details list, without being a member you can search area and type but have no way of going on from there. I searched 'community' and 'south wales' and think i've found my friends organic farm, but can't be sure. Faith - you could pm me if you'd like to know a little more, but i dont want to post their website for fear of breaking the rules.

good luck for monday! *hug

ceridwen

Hi Faith

Got your P.M. - pleased to hear what you say about this.

Anyways........."All will be well" I feel sure.

zippychick

Good luck Cecilia! Hope you get your benefits sorted chicky!

floss2

Don't forget that you can do internet shopping & have it delivered so you wouldn't need the bus / taxi services so often.

faithcecilia

Thank you, thank you all for all the ideas and support you are giving me on here. Regardless of what the actual financial decision is, I feel better knowing that so many 'total strangers' are being so wonderfully kind and caring.

The 'hardship allowance' is certainly worth knowing about - at least I could pay the bus to my counsellor! (essential, being paid for by my old community in hope I will be able to return in the future) and buy bits and bobs to eat. My friend/landlord will not let me starve! Also, another friends mother has very generously offered to 'adopt' me, which may end upp being a good idea in a few months time anyway.

Once again, many, many thanks, you are all:A:A:A

PasturesNew

I note that your landlord is male. I wonder if anything you've said in your form for benefits would indicate in any way that you/he are any sort of an "item". If you are seen as a couple then it's up to him to support you.

In your use of words, you might have inadvertently misrepresented your relationship to your landlord, or they might have come to a conclusion that he's your boyfriend.

faithcecilia

PasturesNew wrote: »

I note that your landlord is male. I wonder if anything you've said in your form for benefits would indicate in any way that you/he are any sort of an "item". If you are seen as a couple then it's up to him to support you.

In your use of words, you might have inadvertently misrepresented your relationship to your landlord, or they might have come to a conclusion that he's your boyfriend.

Noooooo! Very strictly platonic. Oh goodness, I was a nun until 3 weeks ago!

floss2

faithcecilia wrote: »

...The 'hardship allowance' is certainly worth knowing about - at least I could pay the bus to my counsellor! (essential, being paid for by my old community in hope I will be able to return in the future) and buy bits and bobs to eat. My friend/landlord will not let me starve! Also, another friends mother has very generously offered to 'adopt' me, which may end upp being a good idea in a few months time anyway...

I could probably point you in the direction of a couple of Orders who would be able to feed, if not "adopt" you if required through my son who's at Heythrop College.

PM me if you would like the details

zippychick

Cecilia, i think a lot of people just feel for you as you seem so clueless (no offence intended) and innocent. We can all imagine you as our friend, cousin, daughter, grandaughter - so feel even more for you and im sure we all wish we could help you more than we actually do. If you lived near me, i would be dropping you food parcels over!