Friday 16 March 2012

Programmed

It's zero hour. I have been referred to the Work Programme. The dreaded Work Programme. The great Jobcentre referral process tombola has sent me to Jobfit whom I have never heard of (but then why would I). The venue is the Salvation Army building directly over the road. Does that sound relatively benign? Who knows, but I'm not a Christian and don't plan to be.


According to Jobfit's website, they work in partnership with (which I take to mean they subcontract to) Salvation Army Employment Plus. So now the good old Sally Army has gotten a seat aboard the Unemployment Gravy Train. I can't say that inspires me, but I can't be sure how all this works, nor do I understand why all these companies subcontract to and from each other. I suppose the obvious answer has the queen's face on it.


I'm not sure how I feel right now. That funk of anxiety blunts everything. The world seems at once too bright in terms of sensory stimuli and yet too dull. My thoughts are engrossing and encompass too much of my consciousness. Perhaps I should try meditation again. I'm on my own with this, I have to wait for the call from the relevant provider to compel me into action. I do not like waiting for phone calls, and I could hear from them anytime. That isn't something that's positive for me either. I'm dreading this for sure, so I suppose that's how I feel. If the venue were nearer that would, perhaps inexplicably, make all the difference. That however isn't going to happen and I don't know of any Salvation Army facility closer to home. I used to quite enjoy travelling around on buses and even trains, there's something uniquely comforting about the train, it's its own thing and doesn't have to use the roads with all the traffic, but now I feel more anxious about it.


My signing arrangements have also now changed. I have a different signing time; the JC is too prone to tinkering. Every time I go in they've changed the parameters of their diary system. Now it seems certain morning slots are not available at all. Yet they know, and even my Adviser understands, that I need this routine. As a consequence of the WP the process of signing is supposed to be more straightforward as the WP provider shoulders the jobsearch burden, even though I still have to bring my jobsearch. I'm willing to bet pounds to pence that the process isn't simplified and that the adviser I see will, at the very least, waste mine, and thus all the other people's, time as well. Signing appointments regardless are supposed to only take ten minutes, but the tinpot Hitlers seem compelled to scrutinise everything to the point of annihilation and just waste time for everyone. It' snot like a doctor who, understandably according to the needs of individual patients, may require a longer appointment or even a shorter one.


I can't find much on the internet about Salvation Army Employment Plus (plus what?). Is this a new scheme? I've tired their main page and there isn't much there. I hope they are positive, as I have no choice in this. The referral letter is of course quite clear, shall we say, about my choice in this matter. It's always nice to be spoken to with an air of complete distrust.

4 comments:

  1. Hi.

    The sally army eh? Hmmm? An interesting selection. I knew they were involved. I have read/heard the name jobfit, but have no info on them unfortunately

    Well, you knew this day would come, and all you can do is do your best.
    I know it's not a huge help, but i hope you feel that the correspondence you have with us guys in very similar boats is some help. The very action of writing I find very cathartic and/or therapeutic. That and the solidarity. I find it helpful. And I must say you express yourself well and do like reading your insights and opinions.

    Anyway, just wanted to say hi. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Salvation Army Employment Plus. I'm assuming they are providing on behalf of the listed contractor. It's all such a corporate mess. The web info doesn't tell you much; they have a link on the main sally army site. It has links to a couple of vague paragraphs that say the usual glib stuff. I'm concerned about the prospect of workfare with them particualrly. I really don't want to work in a charity shop again. Nothing against it, but it's just not fulfilling or rewarding. And it won't get me anywhere. Noone cared that i had that experience before, they won't now.

      Indeed writing about it as cartharsis was the main reason for this blog. If it wasn't for the internet there'd be a lot more suicides that's for sure. That's why it's important we have solidarity in this and why it's so good to see people standing against the likes of workfare.

      This government - the ownership class - wants us frightend and alone. Divide and rule everywhere. In fact that reminds me, Mary Portas pants programme was full of the usual Fairy Jobmother style propaganda. I didn't watch it all though, I think I would have been sick and I needed a good night's kip.

      Thanks for the reply.

      Delete
  2. Just the idea of Mary Portas Underwear is enough to frighten me. My advice is read every bit of paper before you sign anything, If they want you to provide evidence of a job you have applied for.. make a copy for yourself.

    Hope they will help, but knowing these schemes. Good luck.

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    Replies
    1. I've been told that when I sign on I still have to bring my jobsearch with me, so that now has to be seen twice.
      I shall be on my guard with all of this and I certianly will not deal with threats very well.

      Delete

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