It was getting tough in 2006 and the workhouse still threatens us in 2011

GreyQueen

Ceridwen, I've seen a fair few people come a cropper from believing that, on their own past form, the new employment will be forthcoming the very next week or the week after. It's no reflection on a person's capabilities or keenness as a jobseeker to be unemployed a helluva long time.

I always say to people; apply for the benefit from the moment your circumstances qualify for it. If that job offer from your mate comes thru (or whatever), you can always cancel your application; DWP or the LA won't give a damn, it's gonna take them several weeks to process your claim anyway so if you cancel it before they do the work, it's all good.

Have several times seen people hang on from week-to-week on a "promise" and end up 6-8 weeks down the line having to sign on anyway but with their limited resources badly-depleted.

Counting my blessings that I was able to move straight from a redundancy a few years back to my current employment, but even with 3 months' notice (my whole department had to go when the employer didn't get a contract renewed) it was struggle.

To anyone who is jobseeking, or had a relative or a friend out of work, BIG HUGS and fingers crossed that you or they will get something decent soon.

catznine

Sadly things have got a lot tougher for some friends of mine. She is chonically ill with MS and he has now been diagnosed with throat cancer Apart from making some soups I feel pretty useless though I can worry at olympic standard for them! Puts a lot into perspective doesn't it? I am trying to shift our diets to simpler, healthier options and have upped our exercise - well twice around the field with the dog for now! I have also started to help facilitate a self help course for folks with ME and it is reminding me that there is much I can improve and much to be grateful for as well!

I checked on the map of food banks and the nearest to me is half an hour away! I would love to donate some food but that is a fair way for me to travel (brainfog) to deliver it. Hopefully one will start up in our town soon. Sounds like we will need more of them sadly! Good point about there being more folk in need than there are folk in the Church congregations! We can't expect help from that direction, a lot of our depleted congregation are struggling anyway! The government should give grants towards the food banks!

We are away visiting our lovely little grandaughter soon so today will be spent pacing and sorting and freezing down any food that won't get used up by then! Could be some interesting soups, curries and puds around here!

I found and bought a postcard last week at Duxford imperial war museum which pretty much sums up what we should all be doing:-

FOOD
1 - buy it with thought
2 - cook it with care
3 - use less wheat and meat
4 - serve just enough
5 - use what is left

DON'T WASTE IT!

It's pinned on my kitchen cupboard as a timely reminder! There was a 6 - join the League of National Safety! Not sure what that was about so off to google and find out!
Edit - It was a food economy group around in the first world war but I think the Ministry of Food took it's place in the ww2

Hope a good day is in store for you all! (((hugs))) if needed

ifonlyitwaseasier

morning lovely peeps,

had a super early start today to get trains for and hour & a half, tho i did get rather excited when i passed a famous (or maybe infamous) tube station on the northern line, (those of certain humourous bent will know which one i mean!)

am out and about til very late yet with pc access


GQ - the job market is a PITA at the moment, i'm not having fun, yet i am fortunate enough that i haven't had to sign on yet this time, partly as hubs is working hard and partly as, after the attitude i got last time, i'm putting it off.
I've only had to sign on twice (luckily) but the hassle from some of the JC staff was ridiuclous, one time i was supposed to have been sent a letter for a meeting which arrived the day after said meeting and sign on day. luckily they knew the weather was playing merry hell with the post so i was excused but i got such a third degree of questioning it made me feel really low.


anyhooooooo must crack on

ttfn

ioiwe

paidinchickens

Morning everyone

I no longer think it is just people on benefits in need of food banks I know some families who work for minimum wage that are just as poor.Hopefully I can get growing some veg next year and the surplus can be donated.

Last night I put a wooden potting bench on freecycle and had a lot of requests. I made my mind up to give it to a heavily pregnant lady who will have to give up work when the baby is born. She has decided to start growing her own veg after being given a greenhouse but she has been bending over using an old rabbit hutch. Great what a lovely lady I thought but then after she had collected it I got a request from a lady wanting in to do fun raising stalls for the horses home as they are fast running out of funds to keep going.........now I feel really guilty for the horses:(

Hope everyone had a great weekend

PIC x

smileyt_2

Paid in Chickens, you can't foresee the future and it was a generous thing to do in the first place, so don't go beating yourself up.

I feel low this morning. I am worried about the future, although in truth there is no point worrying as it won't alter anything! I feel so angry at seeing so many people struggling. It seems to be the case that, if you don't have money in this world, you're seen as worthless and treated as such.

However, at least on this board we know that's not the case. Every now and then I come across an article about 2012 and find myself hoping that this global consciousness raising thing is actually going to happen. Maybe then the scales will fall from people's eyes and we will actually share what we have. I don't understand the attitude of rich people (especially Tories) - after all, you can't take it with you!

Ach. Another cup of tea will get my backside into gear :rotfl:

Take care, lovely ladies, hugs to those in need.


ETA: last summer I claimed JSA and it took them 7 weeks to sort it out. Luckily I had enough savings to see my through, but God help those who don't. This summer it only took them 3 weeks. (My work is seasonal so I have to sign on over the summer, although I do obviously look for temp jobs during that time. Actually I'm about to sign off today because I'm back to work next week, thank goodness!).

HariboJunkie

Grey Queen I forgot to answer your query about the wood balsam. The brand name is Lord Sheraton and it's on offer in Asda atm.

As penance for being so forgetful I have gathered some pumpkin recipes for when yours arrives.

Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin and ginger teabread

Pumpkin risotto

Pumpkin curry with chickpeas.

These are all tried an tested by me.

Recipes with pumpkin (MSE OS)

Smiley I'm sorry you are feeling down. All we can do is get our heads down and use or skills to get us through. x

Catznine I am sorry to hear about your friend.

PIC. I think you gave it to the right person as the chairity will be able to find something for their purpose but the pregnant lady might not.

Shouldn't be on here. The ironing is threatening to drown me.

mardatha

Ahhh you don't want to do the ironing - leave it! Sit here and have a wee cup of tea and talk to us instead!!
Go onnnn - you know you want to ! And you know you're worth it!!
....why not have a wee bun as well ? or open some sweeties.. You know where they're hidden - go onnn, just have one. Just ONE....
:EasterBun

[Deleted User]

if you live on the coast n kent upwards to north, then look at the winter thread

HariboJunkie

mardatha wrote: »

Ahhh you don't want to do the ironing - leave it! Sit here and have a wee cup of tea and talk to us instead!!
Go onnnn - you know you want to ! And you know you're worth it!!
....why not have a wee bun as well ? or open some sweeties.. You know where they're hidden - go onnn, just have one. Just ONE....
:EasterBun

Get thee behind me Mardatha.

I can't just say to OH, "Sorry, you'll have to wear creased shirts this week cos a wee woman on t'internet has led me astray" :rotfl:

Ok, just one sweetie. Am putting the iron on to heat up though......:p

oldtractor

mardatha wrote: »

It all goes to show how little some things have changed - or how far round the circle we've come - since the days of Dickens. Is vital to keep your wits about you and take the brilliant advice given in this forum. Look after yourselves and your families cos there's nobody else who will !
God I sound like my own granny. Who was a very tough wee Irish lady and who would feel right at home in here -even though she was born in 1880 and has been dead for over 50 years :D

This is so true. Makes me really stop and think. Me and my DH have only our state pensions to look forward too and will both be 67 before we can claim. We cant downsize as we live in a 2 bed terraced. We are putting away £1 or £5 here and there. Doesnt sound much but it will add up. We need to have savings. Makes me think twice before I buy ANYTHING now. We have even gone veggie 5 days a week,but at least that is healthy.Still, I do enjoy the challenge and being able to manage. Better than the nightmare of debt.