One I would hope would be considered and be given every encouragement to pursue is the use of voluntary labour.
Rather places like the library and tourist information centres having their hours reduced or services removed, why can't volunteers be trained and supervised my paid workers with experience.
The TIC in Broughton is operating well with the help of volunteers. Why isn't a similar scheme being introduced in Ulverston?
There are, and will be more and more, very capable people who could assist in these services and could be encouraged to work for other things than money.
If the money isn't available for a service, surely it makes sense enabling others to get the satisfaction of being usefully occupied and have the discipline of doing a job well whilst in contact with other people in the community.
The alternative of having people sat at home in front of the tele becoming demoralised and depressed is sad and even frightening. We need to take care of the self esteem of those in our society as well as the their basic physical needs.
I hope those the campaign on behalf of keeping people employed take a realistic look at alternatives that raise the spirits rather than encourage conflict.
1 comment:
Totally agree.
But there must be an acknowledgement that such volunteers are ready to take on paid work if offered, otherwise (unless things have changed) they would not qualify for unemployment benefit or credits towards State Pension. (I lost out when I did voluntary work for some years and, later, looked after my mother as well — but I did know what would happen.)
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