16th October, 2024: World Food Day.
Right … I officially spent time on the phone, yesterday!
Phoning the Universal Credit Review team, to talk over what was happening.
I have to admit, it was a call I found very stressful: as, as it turned out, I needed to feed a specific check number — from my driving license — into the .gov website.
‘Palaver’ is not the word: especially as it took several goes.
I did managed to ask why this was happening: answering that was why I phoned in the first place.
Apparently, it’s a rare — but very routine — procedure.
Hmmm …
I came away from the experience feeling stressed, angry and very frustrated.
But … ?
Can at least say the agent who took my call — called Anstar — was both patient, calm, thick skinned … and had very good customer handling skills.
That’s very helpful … and very appreciated …
~≈☎️≈~
On other fronts … ?
I’ve now ordered a sofa.
As soon as it’s here?
I can arrange for the old armchair to be removed, and get assembling.
~≈💺≈~
Just as a last thought … ?
It seems that Liz Kendall, the current Work and Pensions Secretary, is planning to introduce a
scheme where work coaches — the case workers at the Job Centre — visit clients in psychiatric hospitals.
Apparently, the pilot projects have produced ‘dramatic results’.
I’m not necessarily sure it’s a good idea.
As I’ve met one or two people over the years who would struggle keeping a job: as their conditions meant they had frequent episodes.
They’d be an employee that even the most sympathetic employer would find difficult to accommodate.
I can see the idea’s good: I can see the idea could potentially ease government spending.
But?
I think it’s not necessary practical: especially if a work coach has minimal training … and especially if a patient has frequent crises.
