Nice people thread part 3- Nice as pie

StevieJ

lemonjelly wrote: »

Birmingham council have shamefully decided to pull 100% of the funding they provide.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Birmingham-CABs-free-independent-impartial-legal-advice/150270275026678

fu cking shocking behaviour.

Please folks, have a look, "like" it, share it with people.

Have a heart they have expensive hotel bills to pay for :eek: It is truly shocking (but not surprising) that advice for the most vulnerable in our society is being withdrawn.

StevieJ

PasturesNew wrote: »

I wasn't born in a hospital, nor have I ever stayed in one. Never broken anything. Had no kids, so no pre-natal, anti-natal, post-natal, blah blah blah stuff. I very very very rarely use the NHS at all, for anything. And I've been paying in for over 30 years now.

Doesn't mean you won't especially as you get older.

tomterm8

Er, I was a moderator and site helper on there for quite a while. Actually, I wrote quite a few of the stickies, although I hope they have revised them by now, because the laws have changed.

My personal experience or volunteering there, and volunteering at the CAB is that the CAB probably helps people more. It is very hard to get the full story on an internet chat room, and very many people don't have the... mental abilities... when they are in that situation to sort it all out for themselves. CAG especially requires being quite with it.

I think, in practice, both CAG and this forum do a lot of good.

But I also think that all together, CAG, all the advice charities, all the forums, the CAB doesn't get to more than a small percentage of people, because they don't even know where to go.

When they do get to a debt forum, most people don't take the advice offered.

lemonjelly

dopester wrote: »

Unlike 10 or 15 years ago, the internet provides ready access to many help-files and sources.

One forum I visit has such a huge resource to help those being chased for debt and especially house repossessions. All the forms, how to fill them in, what to do.. and even knowledgeable members writing letters to present.

And the internet isn't just for the "elite", with it being widely accessible to many people.. from friend's houses if necessary. I was going to say from libraries too, but have seen the list of how many are set to close down. It's still widely available to most people.

Edit: this forum http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/index.php

I used to work in a CAB, not long ago.

We surveyed how many of our clients had internet access in the home. 90% didn't.

In addition, whilst I agree with your post dopester, a lot of people who access CABx don't know how to interpret the information on such websites.

lemonjelly

tomterm8 wrote: »

Er, I was a moderator and site helper on there for quite a while. Actually, I wrote quite a few of the stickies, although I hope they have revised them by now, because the laws have changed.

My personal experience or volunteering there, and volunteering at the CAB is that the CAB probably helps people more. It is very hard to get the full story on an internet chat room, and very many people don't have the... mental abilities... when they are in that situation to sort it all out for themselves. I think, in practice, both CAG and this forum do a lot of good. But I think even the CAB doesn't get to more than a small percentage of people, because they don't even know where to go.

To take this a little further, you come across cases where you would like to do more, to take things further. So called business restraints can prevent you from doing this.

A twin aim of CABx is to effectively influence social policy. So, for example they can collecet evidence of serial bad practise, flouting of legislation and the like. Or even promote good practise, which benefits the consumer and/or society.

An oft missed essential part of their work. As an independent organisation, they are well placed to collect vast amounts of evidence on issues which are affecting people.

PasturesNew

I went to the CAB once, to see about volunteering - and it wasn't possible.

My local CAB was only open during working hours, about 2 days/week, by appointment only. And the training required one to attend a training course of a week, 20 miles away, during working hours.

PasturesNew

Maybe CAB work is ideal 'work' for the unemployed to be trained up for, to get them back into work. Their volunteering, if it's made compulsory.

Malcolm.

lemonjelly wrote: »

Nowhere near the same, but the emotion I experienced when I lost a relative is similar to yours Malcolm. I feel for you.

My experience doesn't compare to losing a child, however I still lost someone extremely close to me, someone I loved. & whilst I could see I was losing them, all I could see was inefficiency, and a lack of responsibility.

And I genuinely believe that we, as a family were lied to. Especially by GP's.

(As an aside, I lost it with a GP who came round my nans to have a go at the cost he incurred when a family member insisted onan emergency call out for my grandad who hadn't at the time been diagnosed as terminally ill. The GP had repeatedly refused to come out. I though fu ck you mate & got an emergency doctor out. His surgery was billed, & he came round to shout at an old lady who's husband was dying in front of her about the cost.
I am glad I was there to tell the lying son of a beach what a liability he was. He didn't refuse to come out again.
That said, I still wish he wasn't practising, & personally wish he was living in the gutter, as I still feel he is no better than scum)

rant over...

Thank you lemonjelly & lostinrates. I'm hoping posting on a board will help me come to terms with my emotions. I'm not one to talk much about my personal life, definitely not my emotions, probably why a poster thought I'm occassionly a little mysterious.

One of my friends parents, who's experienced similar loss, once said to me 'it never gets any easier, you just find new ways to cope.' I think this is true.

I get days where my mind wanders back to events and I become sad. I've came to the conclusion, all I can do is take the best care I can of my family and friends that are alive. Life in many ways is hope.

I'm very sorry to hear of your loss lemonjelly. Nothing compares to the loss of a close loved one. I'm sure you think about them every day. If you ever want to talk about events I'll willingly listen. I know it's far from easy.

One day, when I'm ready. I'll talk in more detail of my families experience of the nhs.

lostinrates

Malcolm. wrote: »

Thank you lemonjelly & lostinrates. I'm hoping posting on a board will help me come to terms with my emotions. I'm not one to talk much about my personal life, definitely not my emotions, probably why a poster thought I'm occassionly a little mysterious.

Malcolm....nothing to thank for. Most of us can only try and sympathise, but I'm sure more than a few of us care.

But we can add it to reasons to want more, better for our country, our friends ourselves. Whatever you need. Sometimes the facelessness helps. You know? You can turn us off with a mouse click.


Anyway.

lemonjelly

Malcolm. wrote: »

One of my friends parents, who's experienced similar loss, once said to me 'it never gets any easier, you just find new ways to cope.' I think this is true.

Malcolm, I echo LIR's post, only I'd say we empathize, as opposed to sympathise (some of us may well do both!)

Yes, I do think of them regularly. Actually, I find it helps. But I'd agree with your friend. It never goes away, you learn to live with it.

I use tools/toys/implements/belongings which belonged to my family member. And I remember the love we had for each other. I am aware it was more their love for me, which was truly unconditional. At times, I feel guilty for not reciprocating as much as I could have. But I still cherish many very happy memories, & I know that we did give each other happiness.

I wish you well Malcolm. For what it is worth (& remember, I'm some nobody on a message board) I like your posting & style. I like how you question, query, & critique posts. Your contributions are welcome, & valued.

I'd never have guessed your loss prior to your posting it, & I'd reciprocate your offer - just PM me if you ever wished.

I wish you sincerely every luck & fortune in moving forward, with at least some cherished memories, which whilst never enough, I hope they bring you some grains of a smile.:)