AIBU to be miffed about Chester Zoo?

[Stillinshock123]

I need a space to rant but then I welcome feedback and general common-sense.

Chester zoo have posted about £1 deal for those on benefits such as UC, DLA and PIP.

Now, I understand that for some this may be the only opportunity to attend the Zoo given their already ridiculously high prices.

However AIBU to be upset that yet again working families (full time not claiming parts of UC) don’t seem to benefit from much?

We attend the zoo only once a year because of how expensive it is.. so that’s a luxury. So no thanks, no support or discounts.

I emailed them about this, and they replied saying that it’s part of a charity scheme to give back to families who otherwise can’t afford it. But then.. why shouldn’t it be first come first serve?

I was just answering your question. 🤷

Not true.

If you own your home you get no help with the housing costs but if you rent you do. Two families with the exact same circumstances (salary, children etc) will not get the same if one is renting and one has a mortgage. Obviously the home owner will be better off eventually but it means people can feel resentment at schemes like this.

@DysmalRadius I didn't ask you anything so..

All the clubs they miss out on as well. Have to have someone stay with them for school holiday activities when mainstream children over 8 can be left. Miss out on school trips my DD often did even though she went to a SEN school because she required too much supervision. I even suggested I could go to support her but wasn’t allowed. Even when we do actually go somewhere. We have to take regular breaks sit down have a drink and often have to leave early. Must have been at least 10 times we’ve been on a day out when DD was blue lighted to hospital. As well as the injuries she has had from atomic drop seizures. It would sting a little less when it only cost £1. She has good months and bad months so when she’s having a good month then damm right we make the most of it while we can.

People on universal credit does work though. I work over 40 hours a week but because of childcare and private rent being so high I qualify for UC top up. My rent had nearly doubled in the last 4 years. My childcare bill has doubled as the person who would help with childcare has passed away and the cost of living has gone up.

You can try and see if your able to claim some UC if you go on the online calculator it will tell you. Apparently there's a lot of people who could claim but don't realise they can. If your not entitled then be thankful your income is higher than a lot of people.

Also, I'm pretty sure the people claiming DLA for a disabled child would choose for their child to not have a disability if they could. It weird that your almost jealous or 'miffed' of that.

As for PIP, know someone on PIP who was a qualified pharmacist and ran their own pharmacy until they had a stroke. I'm pretty sure he's rather got to work than be stuck at home with a free zoo ticket.

It really isn't fun being on benefits. I had a benefits review a few months ago and had someone go through all my ins and outgoings. I'm pretty embarrassing being 36 and being asked why I sent a friend £14.50 a few months ths previously and why my sister sent me £20 for my daughters birthday. Hopefully we get the same 30 hours free childcare that England gets soon (I live in northern Ireland) so my childcare bill wouldn't be so expensive. Oce my son is 3 I will get 12.5 hours but that's it.

Exactly.

My son is physically disabled and a wheelchair user.

It isn't fair that not all areas are typically wheelchair accessible such as paths, viewing areas etc and some areas such as with Chester zoo, the bat area, isn't accessible at all for wheelchair users so he'll miss out on seeing the bats completely.

Any adventure playgrounds, soft plays etc unless they are accessible which is unlikely would also be something my son will miss out on at a place like the zoo.

It isn't fair that he can't play football with his friends
It isn't fair that he can't run
It isn't fair that he's disabled.

Fingers crossed that people on benefits get free tv license soon.

Well they are also planning to drastically reduce benefits anyway, especially for the sick/disabled. Giving in one hand, and taking from the other.
That could be a whole different thread though.

I understand your issue, but -

Zoos are brutally cruel. No 'animal-first care' can override the fact that zoos confine animals whose unignorable instincts are to run for miles in herds or swim down rivers to the sea to cages. And that being in cages makes them feel like we all fucking would in similar circumstances - worse, in fact, for animals whose nature is to run for hundreds of miles.

Don't teach your children that animals are objects.

First of all many 'full time worker' need UC, 2.2 million apparently... if you don't its because your earn above the threshold to not need benefits. Its got nothing to do with you 'working' more, you have a job that pays you more. You don't necessarily work harder or more hours than someone making minimum wage.

'We attend the zoo only once a year because of how expensive it is'

So you CAN afford the zoo, you can afford to go EVERY year even. We cannot afford to go to the zoo. In fact I think its been about 7 years since we where at the zoo, pretty sure my 4 year old has never seen a zoo and my 7 year old was a newborn.

Except you can get help though, there is the SMI for mortgages and home maintenance costs.

It covers up to £200k and it is reclaimed when the house comes to be sold however you still benefit from the investment of being a homeowner.

OP, why do you think Chester zoo is accountable to you for their offers? They’re funded by charitable trusts, the National lottery heritage fund, and visitor revenue as well as some private donations and private enterprise. They could (and do) offer discounts for a range of demographics (eg blue light, NHS). Not everyone who works for the NHS is struggling either so why have poor people incited your ire?

Can you please post the figures about this 8 in 10 families claiming PIP. Thanks.

Fgs its a figure of speech are we robbed of that on mumsnet, dont get hung up on one sentence.

I have never heard of a figure of speech about PIP.

GG.

That’s not a figure of speech, it’s a made up number. It’s a lie.

What is GG?

Another one.
I didnt say it was true its a figure of speech.

YABU you can afford to go to the zoo once a year but you begrudge someone who’s struggling or has a disabled child the chance to enjoy the zoo for a lot less because if you can’t do it no one else should be able to that’s a great attitude to have.

Figure of speech my arse. It Is simply a made up lie.

Good god.

Love your user name by the way.

Yes i didnt say it was true.

I get pip. I have multiple disabilities. And I’d give all the pip up in a heartbeat if they took away my disabilities.

I don’t live near Chester zoo but good on them.