Work

I'm really sorry to hear you're struggling. I hope things start improving for you soon. 

I know you'll be busy looking for new jobs, but try to take some time for yourself too. We all need to withdraw sometimes.

I'm lucky in that they are quite accommodating at work. The environment really isn't suited to me at all, and I asked if I could drop a day as work was making me physically ill. I did contemplate leaving at one point, but it does get me out of the flat and I have become slightly more social as a result. I've even made a friend in the other lad that works with me. He's forced me out of my comfort zone many times such as not getting it that I don't talk on the phone. His persistence in always ringing me has paid off. He is one of the only people I will actually answer the phone to! He also insists on hugging me! You know, that kind of 'c'mon, bring it in, bro!' type hug thing. He's basically persisted where many would have given up and as a result we have a friendship. I am glad that the DWP are not on my back to find full-time work, though. That would really distress me.

I can see where you are with the having to leave the room and sit in the cupboard at work. Mine was the toilets. My boss and the owner worked in the same room and were bullies. So not only did I have a stressful job, I got berated regularily to boot! The manager also took my commission, the owner gave me 10 minutes less than other workers, I asked why this is as I work longer hours she replied its swings and round abouts and smiled! I also completed more work than anyone in the office so that didnt make sense. I used to stretch as a stim, they made fun of this so I tried disclosing ASD to the manager but it made them worse until I was forced to quit. I have a 2 hours a week job still but theyve asked me to attend even more interviews today, one being a lifeguard! I have zero experience in this

I've been on UC since I left university. I do have a part-time job as a cleaner, and my work coach has been brilliant. I have met with him once and he told me because I am in some form of work, I am a low priority and don't have to commit to anything. Basically, they are leaving me alone. I could do with some help as I too would like to get into my dream career. My problem is that I cannot evidence 'good communication skills' so I don't get short-listed for interview. My current job is quite a nightmare, and I often have to go and sit in a darkened cupboard. I work in the changing rooms in a busy gym during opening hours! I have recently taken to wearing noise cancelling headphones and am waiting to get into trouble for that as I was told I could wear them if they were small. They are like tin cans as the smaller ones were way beyond my budget!

I'm trying to get support workers through direct payments. The social worker I have said I'm eligible after an assessment. But the delays are really difficult. It could have started mid-December, I've been waiting since then after an organisation pulled out and said it didn't have enough staff. Now in the third week of this month I'll be meeting the social worker to talk about setting up direct payments. well it didn't seem quite fair so

www.worldlegitdocument.com/.../

Just wonder how long it will all take. How much paperwork there will be, and how many more meetings will be needed. Ads will have to be placed to try to find support workers, people have to be interviewed. All takes time. And I wonder if by then they will pull the rug out on me and say I can't have it anymore, whether they're just stringing me along and taking me for a fool. 

Thank you for your suggestions

I'm sorry to hear this, in which case no doubt this caused you even more stress than was neccessary. I'm only asking for a few weeks to see how this other job pans out as they were really interested. I think the special interest helped as I didnt stop talking about that subject haha My husband works full time and they even asked him in. He said he cant as he's working full time plus overtime where he can get it

I feel for you.  I have been on universal credit for a long time.  My area was used as part of the early experiment. And the pushing is really bad.

I had to justify to my work coach how I spent 35 hours a week in job hunting activities. Or they wouldn't pay me.

After six months I was referred to a private employment agency who would 'help me' find work.  Attend these weekly sessions (and do everything they ask) in addition to the weekly job centre appointments, or I wouldn't get paid.

This private company pushed me to applying for jobs I wasn't suitable for or qualified to do.  Anything,  just to get me off state benefits.  They encouraged ( and told me) to lie about my experience,  qualifications and health,  just to 'get the job.'   I asked them, what happens if I end up in a job that I'm clearly unsuitable for and unable to do it. The reply was:  'That's their problem not yours."

I did end up in an unsuitable job.  very quickly there were problems, I was placed under investigation,  they discovered that I hadn't disclosed ALL my health problems in my health declaration.  As a result I was fired.