Hello Fairer Scotland! My name is Dane Thomson and I’m delighted to have been asked to write a guest blog for you today. My blog is going to be a no holds barred account of my short term experience of life on ‘benefits’.
First – the back story. I’ve worked hard since I was 14. I’m from Fife originally but moved through to Musselburgh to study at university. Despite a tough couple of years emotionally, I stuck in and succeeded in getting my 2:1 degree.
Fast forward to today. I’m now nearly 27. After securing a couple of very rewarding internships and making some great contacts, I’ve found myself unemployed.
Unfortunately, this is the case for so many other graduates.
So why am I writing and what do I have to say?
I’m going to be honest, before recently attending the Support in Mind Scotland Members’ meeting on the 30th October, I’d never really reflected on a Fairer Scotland.
Of course, I’ve always believed in treating people kindly (no less than the manner I’d like to be treated) and I’ve always gone about my daily business with that in mind. I have made an active point of being there for my loved ones.
However, having been unemployed for the first time in my teen/adult life this year, and having to make the pride shattering move to signing on at the job centre, it has really highlighted to me – first hand – how unfair the ‘system’ really is. For us all.
We need to travel beyond rhetoric:
“aye, this is terrible so it is” / *shakes head*
I see this on a daily basis on Twitter, mainly from political parties.
When it comes to ‘benefits’, we need to turn this all around and work hard to create the Fairer Scotland we all require. In any case – ‘benefits’?? Shouldn’t that be ‘social security’?
I don’t see any benefits to ‘benefits’. I’m skint, and I’m struggling.
Now, before I move any further – yes – I’m eternally grateful that there is a ‘system’ there which acts as a safety net for those in need.
But is this really a safety net designed to help you?
I have felt its hard grip around my neck on a number of occasions, in trying to better myself, in working hard to get myself out the financial mess I’m in just now.
Why a spider’s web?
I’m not trying to be overly negative. This is real life. Consider this:
1/ I’ve been driving myself hard to find a job. I approached the job centre for help. I badly needed shoes to go to an interview, as my own were in bits and over-worn. It was a graduate job interview and I wanted to make the best impression.
So, I went into the job centre so excited and proud of myself for securing the interview, only to be met with a very rude, snippy clerk who remarked patronisingly “and does this job have any prospects”. She then walked off, started talking about me to her colleague, before dismissively spitting “see the welfare fund”.
I stood, stunned, trying to reiterate that the head of marketing had called me personally for the interview – and that I was in need.
I came out in floods of tears, crushed if I’m being honest. My upset only increased when offers came flooding in from my friends to buy me shoes. Their kindness touched me, but embarrassed me, as I don’t like having to rely on anyone else.
2/ Another example. My payment was delayed for five days due to paper work processing etc. Five days. When you’re signing on, this is a life time. Detrimental effects? Try struggling to eat for 5 days!
During this delay, I was then signposted to the saviour that is the ‘welfare fund’. Only, they turned me away because I had £3.09 in my bank account – instead of 0.00!
How far would £3.09 have got me? Not very far!
The examples above highlight some of the steps I’d taken to get myself out of my current unemployed situation – securing an interview and scrutinising all forms of help available.
Only to be crushed and humiliated by an unpleasant clerk who treated me – by way of default – like a ‘sponger’.
I’ve paid tax and NI all my adult working life – surely £12.99 for a new pair of shoes for an interview was hardly a huge ask? It took all my courage to ask for this help. Soul destroying stuff.
Just to be clear, I’m not just sitting back and making comments about the ‘system’ whilst doing nothing to better myself.
I spend hours searching and applying for jobs, with each application tailored. I pluck up the courage and sign up for networking events with people I don’t know in a bid to get myself out there. I’ve made my job hunt public through creating my own employment campaign Employ Daney – opening myself up to criticism.
Employ Daney was all organic. The idea came from me. The hours of promotional content comes from me.
So, when I consider available support in order to find myself a job in the ‘grad’ real world, this does not come from the job centre.
It comes from a don’t give up attitude – and the support of my loved ones, who remind me every-day why I should never give up.
What three positives can I take from this experience?
- I have learned to budget better than I’ve ever done before. You have to! There’s no choice! But I can say that I’ve learned a good couple of tricks to save money
- By keeping my loved ones close at times like this, I’ve managed get by – even if it’s just a friend treating me to lunch. I honestly don’t know where I’d have been without my family and friends, and I’m eternally grateful to them
- Whilst I’ve always had healthy respect for job seekers, I now have new found empathy and respect. I have been there. I have walked in their busted shoes.
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What does a Fairer Scotland look like to me?
- People are helped in their time of need, instead of facing ridicule
- People are listened to, really listened to – without pre-judgements. We should never assume anything
- Our Government takes action on their promises to empower the poorer residents of our nation. It’s the same story, the rich are getting richer, and the poorer are getting poorer.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post on the Fairer Scotland blog. I feel very privileged to have been asked to take part.
Other websites
Website, Support in Mind Scotland
Support in Mind Scotland seek to support and empower all those affected by mental illness, including family members, carers and supporters
Website, Employ Daney
Website, Dane Thomson’s blog
Creating a Fairer Scotland 