Next Saturday, an array of groups have come together for a meeting at Brooks Building, Birley Campus, Manchester Metropolitan University to discuss the role of voluntary groups within the Government's `Help To Work' programme. Here's the full blurb which explains it all...
`Has your voluntary group received offers of 'too-good-to-be-true' six month long 'volunteer' placements? Have you been put under pressure as more and more people experience the devastating impact of benefit sanctions and turn to the voluntary sector for help or support? Perhaps you have lost genuine volunteers when they were required to attend a compulsory 'workfare' scheme compelling disabled and unemployed people to work without pay or lose their benefits?
`The 'Help to Work Programme' sends claimants on mandatory 'Community Work Placements' where they are required to work full time for JSA. If they refuse they will be sanctioned, which means non-payment of all benefits for four weeks, 13 weeks or for up to 3 years. The use of sanctions is a major reason behind the upsurge in the use of food banks.
`Widespread concern about voluntary sector involvement in this scheme led to the formation of the Keep Volunteering Voluntary campaign which has now attracted a pledge from nearly 600 groups not to take part in workfare programmes.'
This meeting will provide an opportunity to:
Spread information about the Help to Work Programme and the ways in which it is being rolled out by the DWP, prime contractors and their subcontractors (including testimony from claimants who have been affected).
Share information and experiences between participants who have had contact with the Programme.
Gain greater understanding and awareness about the effects of workfare and benefits sanctions.
Help to decide what further action can be taken.
The event will be of particular relevance for volunteer centres, advice agencies, food banks, employment support projects, youth agencies, those operating charity shops and local Councils for Voluntary Services.
It's organised by Keep Volunteering Voluntary, Community Audit and Education Centre (Manchester Metropolitan University), Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit, MACC, Manchester Advice Alliance, Manchester Unemployed Workers Centre, 42nd Street and the National Coalition for Independent Action.
The Perils of Participation
Voluntary Groups, 'Workfare' and Benefits Sanctions
Tuesday 14th July 1pm-4pm free
Room 2.16, Brooks Building
Birley Campus, Bonsall Street
Manchester Metropolitan University M15 6GX
To register click here
For more information on the meeting contact scott.anderson@mmu.ac.uk
For more information on Help to Work and Workfare see the Keep Volunteering Voluntary website www.kvv.org.uk and Boycott Workfare www.boycottworkfare.org
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