Case Studies
It would be helpful if we could compile a short book of case studies highlighting just how common the type of work related exploitation we are campaigning about is within MH services and the MH charity sector.
If you have ever 'worked ' for services or a charity without payment or contract and believe you were exploited write a short account of your experiences and send it to me at slamback@gmail.com. We will not use people's names or personal details.
If you are interested in getting involved in this project please contact me at the same address.
Please share this information with other service users.
posted by simply human @ 3:19 pm
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Its best practice for there to be contracts for voluntary work with objectives and time limits in place but very few charities bother with these.
I found this old press release dating from 2002 which has authorities even getting disabled people to go around with the bin men and collect the rubbish for free. They even deny this is being exploitative:
Council refutes exploitation claim in work scheme for people with learning difficulties Full Story A social services department has refuted claims it would be exploiting people with learning difficulties by encouraging them to be volunteer refuse collectors. Oldham social services argues its plan for people with learning difficulties to accompany other paid collectors and pick up waste for recycling from 2,000 households would boost their employment prospects. It will also provide them with the skills necessary to gain a NVQ qualification as well as encouraging interaction with the community, the council says. But Oldham councillors and activists have criticised the neighbourhood regeneration fund pilot scheme, planned for next month, for failing to answer clearly how refuse collection can improve employment prospects. They also suggest the authority is testing the workability of a community recycling scheme on the back of disabled peoples unpaid labour. Joan Maughan, chief executive of The National Development Team (NDT), which works alongside local authorities in developing supported employment schemes, said: We have concerns that there are real risks here of exploitation and discriminatory practice particularly because some members of the team are paid and others are not. If this scheme is really to provide good work experience for people with learning disabilities then it needs to be well structured and laid out to demonstrate this. For example, what NVQ is it exactly supposed to be going towards. One in rubbish collection? However, Beverly Maybury, head of Oldhams adult learning disabilities service, said the scheme was not exploitative, would boost volunteers self confidence and encourage teamwork, and was demonstrably inclusive. She said: Working alongside others is part of inclusion. This cannot be done if people are put into day centres all day. Mencap special adviser Brian McGinnis said the merit of the scheme should be assessed as it progressed. The thing is to make sure that the people themselves want to be involved and are happy with it, he said. Release Date 13/02/2002 Source CountryUnited Kingdom
Jill,
If the Government has their way, things like this will become the norm.
There is a big push coming on getting people with mental illness to do voluntary work.
Part of the Social Inclusion/Return To Work package.
My experience of Service User Representation is that people end up taking on loads of work, because there is so much to be done. People feel responsible and try to keep on going and on top of things and drown.
Some, if not many, host organisations are poor at setting up and supporting service users. I actually ended up doing most of the employed manager's job because they were never around.
Is slightly different on PPIF. Someone else does the admin and organises a fair bit. But if other PPIF's are like ours. There are very few people and they are being bombarded with ridiculous amounts of dead trees and communications between the Trust and the PPIF are bad. We request stuff time and time again and it doesn't materialise. We multi task because we have to...and are always playing catch up because of the Mushroom Effect.
Why do I do it...because I care but am most probably a complete Muppet.
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