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Lone parents

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

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Original poster

I donot believe this, how ridiculous

27 replies

NuttyMuffins · 02/05/2007 13:22

The lady who was coming to see me each week from the childrens centre, had last week told me about a scheme called work directions. Basically they help you get back into work and can offer grants for clothes for interviews, driving lessons and other things.

Well she got back to me today and guess what ? I don't qualify because I live in what is classed as an affluent area. Nevermind the fact that I live on a large social housing estate and the fact that their is a huge council estate in the area too. Basically anyone in this whole area, whatever there circumstances will be turned down for this scheme because of their postcode.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Saturn74 · 02/05/2007 13:23

How ridiculous!
Do they have an appeals procedure?
Write to your MP and get them to kick ass?

edam · 02/05/2007 13:24

How stupid. Bloody bureaucracies.

Original poster

NuttyMuffins · 02/05/2007 13:25

To be fair to the woman from the centre and the woman at the work directions place, they both think it is stupid too, and they even tried to get me through using my dads address, but that wouldn't work because the job centre where I get my benefits from is still in the my postcode area, so too affluent.

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nappyaddict · 02/05/2007 13:28

imo the people who should get priority are the ones who have the least amount of money, not where you happen to live.

nappyaddict · 02/05/2007 13:28

imo the people who should get priority are the ones who have the least amount of money, not where you happen to live.

Original poster

NuttyMuffins · 02/05/2007 13:31

Exactly nappyaddict, but apparently it goes on your postcode and according to mine that makes me well off

The lady from the childrens centre said to them that they really are making a huge mistake there and disregarding alot of people who would really benefit from their input.

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Original poster

NuttyMuffins · 02/05/2007 13:38

Shall I write to my MP then ??? Have to admitt that I don't even know who that is.

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nappyaddict · 02/05/2007 13:38

definitely write to your mp. where do you live?

Original poster

NuttyMuffins · 02/05/2007 13:39

Sutton Coldfield

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nappyaddict · 02/05/2007 13:43

its andrew mitchell. i just asked my friend who lives there. he's conservative apparently.

nogoes · 02/05/2007 13:43

That is terrible. I read recently in our local paper that disadvantaged families living in our area receive less help than those in the next town because this is an affluent area. It stinks doesn't it?

nappyaddict · 02/05/2007 13:43

this should be his email address

[email protected]

Original poster

NuttyMuffins · 02/05/2007 13:46

Thanks ND, now you've told me my brian has clicked and gone 'oh yeah thats who it is'.

Will compose email later.

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nappyaddict · 02/05/2007 13:47

oh dear. i forgot i had copied and pasted that address and have just emailed him asking if he still has the teddy gro bag for sale

nappyaddict · 02/05/2007 13:47

start one of those online petitions too.

iamalonelymum · 02/05/2007 20:56

nappyaddict.

MrsWho · 02/05/2007 21:30

at nappieaddict

Surestart do this too, Years ago when I first had dd1 my HV wanted me to be a breast feeding support person and I couldn't go on the course because I lived in the wrong area.When I needed a counseller it was the same but the HV recommended using my Mams address and I got it straight away!

My Mam livees in a more affluent area than I do its just the council estate on her side is slightly larger than the one on mine so hers was a Surestart ward and mine wasn't

Fubsy · 03/05/2007 19:22

This is another of these dumb, "lets reduce everyone to statistics" things that government seems so fond of these days.

So what happens if youre homeless in Chelsea? You cant be penniless because youre sitting in the dtreet outside some millionaire's pad?

makes me sick. Really sorry, good luck with your mp.

Maybe he will like the grobag?

Original poster

NuttyMuffins · 15/05/2007 16:23

Update I emailed my MP and had a reply by letter today, saying ......

'I share your concern at being informed that you are not eligible for the Governments Work Directions scheme because you live in Sutton Coldfield, which is considered to be an affluent area.

I have today written to the Government Minister with responsibility for this scheme and will come back to you again as soon as I recieve a response to my representations on your behalf.'

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nogoes · 15/05/2007 16:23

Excellent

Original poster

NuttyMuffins · 19/05/2007 10:20

Another update, the lady who comes to see me is also emailing the MP and including yet another government organisation that will not accept people in my area because it is considered to be affluent.

Oh and my local paper actually ran an ad for the Work Directions scheme this week. Talk about flaunting something you can't have in front of your face.

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edam · 19/05/2007 10:22

Tell your local paper, then, bet the editorial department will be interested.

Original poster

NuttyMuffins · 19/05/2007 10:26

Hmm hadn't thought of that. Should I wait and see if the MP gets back to me first though ??

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winnie · 19/05/2007 10:31

Nutty, in my job I am constantly coming across this kind of thing. It is more than frustrating to have to tell someone that something can't happen because the area they live in is 10 minutes walk away from a 'regeneration' area & only the families in the regeneration area qualify

Original poster

NuttyMuffins · 19/05/2007 10:39

It is so wrong Winnie and so shocking tbh. If I lived a 15 min bus ride away, i'd have been accepted no the spot.

Mind you I have come across something like this before. When DS was little I tried to join a Sure Start group and was told I couldn't because I lived out of the area (again only 15 min bus ride away).

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