lol Mr, P, you have a way with words Thanks jasta11, I will look into getting one if they really are that cheap .

Thanks for the tips. I dont have a memory stick but am fine with using my own paper and ink as my mother brought some home from work and she can probably get some of those great envelopes you mentioned too. Yes, I was shocked at his use of language and wish Id have recorded our session now and wish I could throw him out of the window but I am just a wee lassy so unless he threw himself out of the window for me.. no chance lol

Thanks very much for your reply. The reason I asked that is that before I had to find 10 employers and had to do it all at the WP and I was there for 50 minutes doing that and I dread to think how long 50 would take me as he mentioned writing out envelopes but I would prefer to do it at home - all done and dusted next time I see him and they can just pay for the stamps.

Thanks everyone, your help is invaluable to me and Id like to update my experience if I may. I had my appointment yesterday and he seems a decent adviser on the whole, apart from the fact that he ate his lunch infront of me and swore quite a bit (f*cking, b*stard, pr*ck and sh*t was used). He asked me about my living situation so I brought up moving to York... he said "b*llocks to here then, lets concentrate on finding jobs in York" which I was pleased about. I do find it quite unfair however, that for next time I see him, I must find 50 companies in York to send CVs/spec letters to then the week after that to ring the 50 companies to chase up my CV. It will be hard to find 50 and I do think its a little OTT but it does say mandatory on my Action Plan for next week. My question is, would it be ok if I pre-made all these CV's, spec letters and envelopes to take in to him rather than me having to go in and do it there and be there for 2 hours?

Thanks everyone. I saw all your messages after my appointment and I think the holiday has been delayed a week or two but still need and appreciate the advice you have given me. One last question though, I have been told that I wont get paid until I come back and sign, is this true? I know when Ive had a 2 week sickness, I got paid on time during this sickness period without signing. Thanks xx

Hi all, I know this may be a bit of an obvious answer but what do I do about having a 2 week holiday while on the work programme (Sarina Russo)? One of my pals booked a holiday cottage in Scotland for 2 weeks but cant go - I reluctantly volunteered (yeah right lol). The dates are Wednesday (5th March) until Wednesday 19th March. This would mean missing a signing day and no doubt an appointment or two with my WP adviser. So, what do I do? Is there a form to fill in and send off? What do I do about appointments with my WP adviser because when I see him tomorrow, no doubt he will make me another one then and there? Ive not had any holiday so this would be my first and Id like to take the 2 weeks all at once. Are there any forms I can print out and send off rather than go into my JCP? Thanks xx

Thanks for your reply. Im expecting the usual "the problem is you..." crap as that seems to be their warcry lol I have read before that people shouldnt sign this or answer that and I dont get why. If they ask me things and Im vague or refuse to sign things and they ask me why, what do I say? Why should I not sign anything?

Hi again everyone. I have just received an appointment for my Work Programme (Sarina Russo) Engage Phase which is on Friday with a completely different adviser. Not looking forward to this as I don't really know what to expect. As some of you may or may nor remember - I am moving to York soon (no date yet though but hopefully within a few weeks to a month) and I really do not want a job where I currently live as I want and need to move away for a clean and fresh break - coupled with the fact that I could accept full and part time work if I moved - upping my chances of finding work, if I stayed, full time in the only option. Anyway, can anyone give me any pointers as to whats in store for me? Also, would I get into trouble if I told them truth, that I do not want to work round here but am looking for employment in York and would attend any interview I may get? I don't want to land myself some kind of sanction if not wanting to work in my area is not allowed. Cheers!

Hey again everyone. I attended an appointment with my "lovely" adviser Mo yesterday who wasn't all that bothered I didn't manage to get an interview in 10 days like he asked me to but I told him I'm moving up north and he has took it upon himself to push [me] even harder to find a job so I cant move away (and no doubt so he gets the credit and commission), which I find awful as I dont want to live here anymore as its a dead end place and I hate it. He has made an appointment to see me again this Thursday to ring places and do a job search there - what is the point of this? I do a very good job search at home and everyone has been blown away by how good it is when I go to sign and I also ring a few places to inquire about possible vacancies per week - so what the hell is the point in all this? He isnt doing anything to help me, it seems like he is struggling to think of anything to do with me and I don't appreciate him pushing me to get a job here when he knows I want to move and start a new life somewhere else - somewhere I have the option to take on P/T as well as F/T work - more option than here as I can only do F/T if I stay! I really wish I could get rid of him as he is pretty useless but thinks he is the dogs doodahs! He is only standing in for my usual adviser who is off sick and has been for a month! Another thing that made me "lol", he gave me a pile of papers yesterday, which were jobs to apply for, and sandwiched in-between was a letter to a completely different person with their name, address and such private information on. Now I have someone elses details and this other person wont receive this important letter. Incompetent!!!

Well yes I suppose that does make more sense, thank you

Thanks guys! I did read that I could not change providers but maybe that was incorrect afterall. I also highly doubt that the WP would be willing to pay me £60.50 in travel expenses should I be made to commute like Mr P said lol but maybe the rules arent that bad and what I read was inaccurate. Thanks again

Hey all. The move from Rugby to York is happening and we should be moved within the month. Finding a job here is unlikely and York has so much to offer, so much more job opportunity etc I do have a worry. I did read that once signed to a specific Work Programme provider - it can not be changed. Here I'm with Sarina Russo and there is no Sarina Russo in York. According to this link, the only WP providers in York (north east) are Avanta and Ingeus. So, please dont tell me I will be MADE to commute a 6 hour round journey from York to Rugby because I wouldn't be allowed to change WP providers (or is the information I read about a no-change of providers incorrect?). Many thanks!

I think he would class his "guidance" as improving my CV, cover and spec letter as help maybe? He hasnt done anything else as I have only had 2 appointments with him. The action plan is exactly as I posted, I hadnt cropped anything out but here it is minus identity info..[ATTACH=CONFIG]48986[/ATTACH]

lol yes, I did think it was a desperate attempt at making himself look useful.Thanks everyone!

I see, so this is not a "must" even though he made it sound like it was. Sneaky! I will just feel silly going to the appointment in 10 days if I fail to get an interview because no doubt he will say its my fault.

This is the actual printout if that helps? There is no specific job to apply for, I have to find that myself to get the interview.

Well, on the "Action Plan" that he printed out for me says "Steps to Success and Progress: Target agreed is 1 job interview before this meeting". If I could push people into giving me interviews, Im sure Id be in employment by now. Yes, we (the jobseeker) do all the hard work trying to get a job while they (the adviser) get all the credit for it. Ridiculous!

Hey all. Just had an appointment with my lovely WP (Sarina Russo) adviser who totally lives in the real world. While he was pleased with my updated CV/cover and spec letter, he now wants me to get an interview by the time I see him again on the 10th of Feb. How on earth am I supposed to make this happen exactly? My last interview was around 5 months ago and even when I am 100% suitable and qualified for the position I apply for, I still dont hear back. He also wants me to take in a min of 10 employers to send CVs/spec letters to when I see him next. What if I don't manage to get myself an interview? What can happen to me? My adviser never said to try and see if I get an interview - I must get one. This is asking a bit much of me as I cant make employers want to invite me for interviews.

Thanks everyone for your replies. UJM site is a waste of space and I try to apply for jobs on other sites more because I overheard a conversation between a JCP advisor and client that was using the UJM site - "some of the jobs on UJM dont exist, they are created by job agencies to get you on their books" and I though to myself "wtf is the point then?". I do use Reed, Indeed, Monster, Jobsite etc but have had fake emails saying I have been invited to an interview to a job I havent even applied for so feel a bit dubious using these kind of sites but I have zero choice. I have an appointment with this advisor tomorrow which Im not looking forward to. Ive revamped my CV, cover and spec letter - lets see if he still finds fault somewhere (which Im sure he will) because, according to every advisor I have spoke to at the JCP and WP - I am highly employable and it baffles them why I am unemployed. Yes, it baffles me too but maybe the problem isnt with me after all - but that could never be to a WP advisor!

Thanks Beatrice for your help and advice, I have taken all you have said into account and am glad that as long as I stick to my agreement they cant touch me Have a good night and thanks again

I have zero money, zero savings, I live hand to mouth - cant afford a month/weeks rent or any kind of bond/deposit. Last time I claimed HB (about 12 years ago) it took me 6 months for the HB to come through. Yes Im sure living with my parents contributes to my depression but I have suffered with depression since a very young age so it certainly isnt the cause. While I have money troubles I can't really afford to do anything, sure walking is free but it doesnt make me feel better

Thanks for your replies. My WP advisor asked me why he thought I was unemployed and I told him what my JCP advisor told me (most employers only look at the first 10 CV's so it was a case of luck etc), he disagreed with that even though about 90% of my applications through Universal Jobmatch site go unviewed so I think there is some truth to it. I hate answering their questions but I have no choice but to answer. I dont think anyone claiming ESA has to still go to the WP for the first 3 months or depending on whether you pass the ATOS medical after 3 months but most don't. Herbal/natural anti depressants don't work, tried them. If I moved, I could just continue my JSA/WP claim where ever I move to. ETA: Just read your latest post Beatrice and thanks for your reply. I worry because I know advisors can sanction you for nothing - all the horror stories I've read how someone got sanctioned for not smiling or how they didn't attend an appointment because they were at an interview. My WP advisor said he can tell between the people who are serious about getting a job and those who arent but knows Im serious (I think) but that doesnt stop them being horrible and looking for any excuse to stab you in the back. Yes, I think moving is what I need, there are so many opportunities I need to take. Sorry you had it bad with anxiety and such too.

Hello everyone, this may be long so please bear with me. I'm currently claiming JSA an have been assigned to the work programme (Sarina Russo). My first appointment went quiet well, although my advisor was off sick,his stand in was quite nice to me, however, it really annoyed me when he told me that I should be in employment and the fact that even though there are around 50 people going after one job - there is no reason why I shouldn't get the job and he wants to find out why. While this is kind of a compliment, him saying that insinuates that he thinks the problem lies with me and not the fact that I have around 50-1 chance of getting the job. I have worked in the past (just over a year ago) and done well in interviews but of course convincing him of this is another matter as it can't simply be that someone else got the job through luck (or bad luck on my part). All this stress, lack of work and finger pointing has kick started my depression that I have suffered with most my life and am considering going on the sick as I'm crying out the blue, feel and have thoughts like people with depression do (I will spare you the details). This is on top of the fact that I may end up homeless. My parents are moving from the midlands to yorkshire in the next month or so, I either go with them or stay and be homeless (as I live with them). While this is a no-brainer, I have zero idea where I would stand with my advisor and the WP if I mentioned this as I dont want them to think I'm not looking for work or am not willing to work here as hey, if I found a well paid job I'd stay and get a place of my own but this is looking very unlikely as I've been unemployed for just over a year - I've even done courses while being unemployed to make myself more employable but... nothing, so I have some questions I hope are answerable. 1. If I went on the sick, what happens to my WP claim if I moved during being on the sick? 2. How can I make my advisor see that it's hard getting past the application stage, never mind get an interview, never mind get the job when so many other people are after it as well without him thinking I'm rude and sanctioning me or sending me on stupid interview technique courses? 3. What should I say to my advisor about moving and that I may not be here much longer? I don't want him thinking I don't deserve my JSA because I am moving, therefor not looking for work, when moving would increase my employment chance as we are moving to a city with more job opportunities. Any help would be greatly appreciated