Unemployed/Jobseekers Bootcamp

cmyk

Guys just looking for advice on the above. Having been in that position myself a few years ago, having to queue for 4hours for a state payment is pretty demoralising and eats away at confidence.

As this is the H&F forum i dont need to sell the benefit of a healthier lifestyle through nutrition and exercise...above and beyond the obvious physical improvements. I have one slot at 9am that I'd like to fill with those people that may need or benefit from a physical outlet, it also happens to be a good time to give people a purpose to get out of bed and active.

Has anyone any ideas on how to reach those people who would be genuinely interested? We're based in Sandyford so sticking a poster in the social welfare centre is the best I've come up with so far.

I'm also looking for advice on how to limit an abuse of this. Thinking of putting a small monetary value on this (2-3e per class) along with asking for proof of Jobseekers etc. any thoughts or advice greatly received as this is still just a niggling thought in the back of our heads.

discus

Great idea. I agree that there is risk of it being abused, so a few quid and proof each week is a good idea! Dole payments come with a weekly receipt and plenty of gyms ask for them week-on-week, so its expected at this stage. Ballymun Corpo Gym had to bring this in, and the number of people attending dropped a fair bit for a few months!

You could post in the State Benefits forum on boards?

cmyk

discus wrote: »

You could post in the State Benefits forum on boards?

Thanks Discus, once I've got a good framework nailed down, i'll move into that and the employment forum.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Might I suggest that the local newspaper/radio station/ etc might be interested in running a piece on this giving you exposure along with letting people know about it.

endacl

I think the demand of a nominal small payment is a good idea OP. I've run community arts workshops in disadvantaged areas and we always find that both interest and regular attendance always improves when there is a token payment for the service. People value what they pay for. They'll take or leave what's free. It also shows that, even if you're not making a fortune, you value the service you're providing. Have you thought about contacting community welfare officers? They'd certainly be able to make people who could benefit aware of what you're offering. Great idea and very generous. Best of luck with it.

username123

discus wrote: »

Dole payments come with a weekly receipt and plenty of gyms ask for them week-on-week, so its expected at this stage.

Not all unemployed/jobseekers are in receipt of a payment. I am not. I failed the means test due to savings and my husbands wages but Im still an unemployed jobseeker.

discus

Fair one, never thought of that.

ssshhh123

Why keep giving people on the dole discounts? I work in full time employment paying taxes the last 12yrs but when I go for a game of golf it's 28€ but friend of mine can play for 14€ if he shows his receipt so I'm basically punished for having a job. While the dole money which is ment to help people get by while looking for employment can get so much more benefits.

Hanley

ssshhh123 wrote: »

Why keep giving people on the dole discounts? I work in full time employment paying taxes the last 12yrs but when I go for a game of golf it's 28€ but friend of mine can play for 14€ if he shows his receipt so I'm basically punished for having a job. While the dole money which is ment to help people get by while looking for employment can get so much more benefits.

You're right. Lets eat the poor. Rabble rabble rabble.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

ssshhh123 wrote: »

Why keep giving people on the dole discounts? I work in full time employment paying taxes the last 12yrs but when I go for a game of golf it's 28€ but friend of mine can play for 14€ if he shows his receipt so I'm basically punished for having a job. While the dole money which is ment to help people get by while looking for employment can get so much more benefits.

Stop thread spoiling and count yourself lucky too have a job.

cmyk

ssshhh123 wrote: »

Why keep giving people on the dole discounts? I work in full time employment paying taxes the last 12yrs but when I go for a game of golf it's 28€ but friend of mine can play for 14€ if he shows his receipt so I'm basically punished for having a job. While the dole money which is ment to help people get by while looking for employment can get so much more benefits.

It's a very valid point, and exactly why I'm looking for ways around the abuse of it. Can I ask you one genuine question though, is your friend in good spirits, genuinely looking for employment or living it up every weekend?

Brian?

cmyk wrote: »

Guys just looking for advice on the above. Having been in that position myself a few years ago, having to queue for 4hours for a state payment is pretty demoralising and eats away at confidence.

As this is the H&F forum i dont need to sell the benefit of a healthier lifestyle through nutrition and exercise...above and beyond the obvious physical improvements. I have one slot at 9am that I'd like to fill with those people that may need or benefit from a physical outlet, it also happens to be a good time to give people a purpose to get out of bed and active.

Has anyone any ideas on how to reach those people who would be genuinely interested? We're based in Sandyford so sticking a poster in the social welfare centre is the best I've come up with so far.

I'm also looking for advice on how to limit an abuse of this. Thinking of putting a small monetary value on this (2-3e per class) along with asking for proof of Jobseekers etc. any thoughts or advice greatly received as this is still just a niggling thought in the back of our heads.

Maybe start a thread in the South Dublin Forum?

ssshhh123

A few different friends on it mostly happy get out to play 2-3 times a week so why wouldn't they? Also are in a gym with a discount so they fill the normal working week 9-5 by going the gym 5 days a week and couple rounds of golf. Sure I should pack the job in myself with this in mind. I'd say target everyone with same price small bit higher keep it on a level playing field. Best of luck tho

username123

ssshhh123 wrote: »

Sure I should pack the job in myself with this in mind.

Why dont you then? If its that good that you are so jealous of it - why dont you live it? Nothing stopping you.

Hanley

I'd happily give up my job, food, going out, holidays and nice clothes to join a bootcamp at 9am. Where do I hand in my resignation?? I'd be saving so much!!!!!!

ssshhh123

username123 wrote: »

Why dont you then? If its that good that you are so jealous of it - why dont you live it? Nothing stopping you.

Well number 1 I'm in a contract so I'd have to pay to get out of it.
Number two if I left my job I wouldn't be entitled to the dole.

username123

ssshhh123 wrote: »

Well number 1 I'm in a contract so I'd have to pay to get out of it.
Number two if I left my job I wouldn't be entitled to the dole.

Well poor you - is that why you are jealous of people who qualify?

If you dont have automatic entitlement to Jobseekers Benefit you would be means tested for Jobseekers Allowance - like everyone else in this country.

If you have an issue with how the system is run I suggest you lobby your local politicians to have the system changed.

If you are lucky you will never find yourself at the end of a 2 hour queue in the local social welfare office begging to be supported by the state - not everyone is so lucky.

Zombienosh

This is a great idea. It can be hard to be motivated to do anything if you've been unemployed for a while and this is exactly the kind of thing that can get people motivated to do something constructive and not just physically but get motivated in life again and build confidence.

endacl

Zombienosh wrote: »

This is a great idea. It can be hard to be motivated to do anything if you've been unemployed for a while and this is exactly the kind of thing that can get people motivated to do something constructive and not just physically but get motivated in life again and build confidence.

And, thread back on track with helpful comments...

Backwards begrudgery?!? Now that a new one on me!

kat_oc

Ok before this descends into another argument about social welfare benefits etc... Can I just say that this sounds great. I'm unemployed and yep trying to motivate myself up early morning to send of cvs that don't even get acknowledged gets very depressing so would love to do this class if it becomes a reality. Good on some companies for giving something back to people who have less!

endacl

^^^

There ya go. That's why it's a good idea.

Good luck with the job hunt. You'll be rightly fecked off when you get one though, apparently. Looking back on the days when training used to be free and stuff.

cmyk

ssshhh123 wrote: »

Well number 1 I'm in a contract so I'd have to pay to get out of it.
Number two if I left my job I wouldn't be entitled to the dole.

I appreciate the input there, I have no doubt there are others lurking that may well be total agreement with you.

This was always going to be a contentious issue with the potential of a downward spiral into a debate of the welfare system. That's not the intention at all, there's a whole other forum dedicated to that. We all know the system is far from perfect and is openly abused by some. There are those however for whom every last cent is going towards dry cleaning their suit for the tenth interview of the month, keeping credit on their phone for making those calls that may lead somewhere, struggling with monthly bills, back living with parents etc. For those people spending 20euro per week on fitness classes is pretty far down their agenda.

I've no idea how I can reach those that are genuine, but thought here would be a good start...so I'd urge anyone that knows people in that situation to touch base with me, it's not that hard to find a way to contact me.

kat_oc wrote: »

Ok before this descends into another argument about social welfare benefits etc... Can I just say that this sounds great. I'm unemployed and yep trying to motivate myself up early morning to send of cvs that don't even get acknowledged gets very depressing so would love to do this class if it becomes a reality. Good on some companies for giving something back to people who have less!

Sorry to hear about the job front kat_oc, you're exactly the sort of person that I'm hoping will benefit from them so please drop me a pm, I've had a couple already so as soon as I have 6 or more we'll kick it off and maybe pilot it for 4-6 weeks and see what sort of structure we can put on it.