Forum Topic

New Year's RESOLUTION?

Any bright ideas anyone?I'm gonna resolve to be less grumpy and curmudgeonly. :-(

Gerry Tan ● 7421d12 Comments

Sarah a lovely and rewarding tale, can I just say my other half is a Magistrate and not one of the older variety of twin set and pearl days - if you know what I mean (anyway they really wouldn't suit him!) thankfully the Magistracy has more down to earth normal working people on it now who do live in the real world. It is true that those of us in public services do really want to fulfill that role of serving the public - unfortunately it is all about targets and performance which just obstruct us - the terrible thing is that none of those help anyone that I can see and everyone is bedevilled with the damn things nowadays.

Vanessa Smith ● 7420d

I should have said British Legion, not Rotary club.  The Rotary club were really helpful with sponsorship for my sons going off on the Fulcrum Challenge...http://www.fulcrum-challenge.org

Sarah Felstead ● 7420d

It is back to what Vanessa has been repeatedly saying about what she is losing in her job - and why people are Civil servants - and what people want or need of Civil servants when they call for advice.  People in a situation such as his, can't afford the accountant or legal representation to side step their debt or they wouldn't be in that mess in the first place.  What is needed is a common sense approach severing deliberate avoidance of debt or an inability to manage it - and different approaches to both responses.  I got so cross when I saw lottery scratch cards being sold at the Post Office at the same point people were cashing their benefit giros!  It would take a really mean and greedy person to want to make money from the unemployed and pensioners at that point, or somebody who really is living in a different world...!By looking at the problem he was having, taking time to discuss it and seek input from a selection of people, we were able to sort something out that was a success (lets face it,  it doesn't always happen so there must have been some luck involved too).  The lady who came up with the Rotary club hadn't normally been in the 'loop' as being a source of information to help (which proves the point about valuing everyone).  The charity people were great and what a touch taking along a bottle with them!  They had asked his favourite tipple beforehand so they got it right and didn't offend.  We were able to put together what was right for him - we all got it right - and the reward was in that success, for everyone involved. Y'know even the suit was happy cause they got their money!Not sure about the resolution thingy ..have to think about why..

Sarah Felstead ● 7420d

Sarah,A lovely story; what a pity more advisors don't have your care and concern for the people seeking assistance.Have a great 2005.

Ann S. Allridge ● 7420d

Interesting and happy story of your ex-musician client. I'll bet you're a very caring and diligent benefits adviser.And do you have a New Year's resolution or are you like others who think its daft to even think about resolutions at this time of year?  ;-o

Gerry Tan ● 7420d

Oh golly - and don't you have to be careful of the rumours!  I got quite worried at one stage that we would open our morning papers and see the headlines - Local MP falls from horse!

Sarah Felstead ● 7421d

No, not at all.  It is all very sweet and loooverly.  there is something so defusing about having a 'song' don't you think?  I am pleased for you - all of you!...Gosh and gushing, she has been at the sweets this Christmas, hasn't she!...Amidst all the horrors going on and the latest scenes being beamed into our front rooms - and we can't even pass on how much we want to put our arms around the people affected by it all - it is nice to have some contrasting distractions.I have in the past had a song written for me – for my youngest when he was a new baby.  I still smile when I think of it as I saw several other quite unfazed people melt when he told them the same – I think it was one song and he changed the names in it…?  … I suspect it was one song…and he changed the names in it?It is one of those  nice stories, so if you feel like it, settle down and settle in.He had been a successful writer and musician working with a well known organisation like the Grades (but not the Grades) and had lost his job and fallen on hard times.  He  was going through the process of seeing me about his benefits and discussing looking for some other work, at just under retirement age.  It was all very amicable and he took it all in great spirit – even had a few interviews after we had our meets which I think were once every three months or so.  That was probably the essence of it – he did have great spirit.He then had another problem which came to light as I spent some time talking about his benefits.  I can’t remember exactly, but there was a time when somebody decided that people on benefits should take charge (responsibility) for paying their Council tax directly to the Civic Centre – and there were some people who just couldn’t handle that.  I met a number in differing circumstances who through no fault of their own had fallen into debt over this liability and were in the process of being taken to court by the Council (I seem to remember).  The amount to you and me was not very much, but to him in his position it was impossible to pay.  I had numerous conversations with the Fortress about this –  what is the point of taking him off to Court to make the sum larger with Court costs and give him a debt record, when he just couldn’t afford the smaller sum?  Why not let him pay it at a smaller amount over a longer period of time?  I knew I had got through to the suit at the other end as I heard their voice wavering but they  must have been working to a performance target because they just wouldn’t shift.As part of delving around finding out what could be done (this is the sort of time and advice which occasionally it was important to be able to give) we sorted out that the British Legion would help and an appointement was arranged through a colleague.  He was so chuffed after their meeting!  He came in to tell me that they would give him around 70% of the sum due, and they also took along a bottle of strong tea for him to savour (possibly from one of the remote Islands Jim may be on at the moment?).That information was passed on to the suit, who wavered again, but still wouldn’t budge.  So at this stage we were looking at him heading off to court for the rest of the debt (never been in debt in his life until now).He came in to see me with the court letter and his date and time of attending and asked me for my opinion on something which I think has to be up there on the list of greatest responsibilities – He had written a poem for the Magistrate (penned for the situation and very good it was too) and he wanted to know, from me, if he should give it to the Magistrate at the hearing?  I read it and we talked about it (what do I know about Magistrates?  I did watch Crown court a few times…) and we decided that it was possibly not a good idea.  The end of the story is that the rest of the money was paid from another source (not me I hasten to add but the source it came from was very right and proper) and I quite enjoyed the call to the Fortress to say they could call it a day.  He left our office that day with a huge spring in his step having had a top class service from some very good teamwork and networking.  I still have his song somewhere…...all together now - 'sigh' ...

Sarah Felstead ● 7421d

Oh! Gerry.......How I wish I were young again and as presentable as the song suggests, but I must dream on......!But thank you for the warm New Year wishes, which I reciprocate.Sarah is going to come out fighting after this...it will be the Cold War all over again, and back to that bl.... wardrobe in Russia.

Ann S. Allridge ● 7421d

Sarah,I hope you've just seen my new song from Gerry and Jim???????????There is absolutely no truth in the rumours........You see, while you were cavorting with David Bowie (celebrity), li'l ole me stayed with the neighbours, and see how it has paid off!!!!!

Ann S. Allridge ● 7421d

ANN, that's nice, thanks.Yes I miss our JIM - hope he makes an appearance soon - he's probably in the Highlands with one of his children, but he'll be back soon I hope. He doesn't half give this forum a lift!Anyway, seeing as its nearly New Year's day, here is another classic lyric from JIM and I specially for you, on this cold and wet end of year: "Some day, when we're awfully low,When the world is cold,We will feel a glow just thinking of you...And the way you look tonight.Oh but you're lovely, with your smile so warmAnd your cheek so soft,There is nothing for us but to love you,And the way you look tonight.With each word your tenderness grows,Tearing our fear apart...And that laugh that wrinkles your nose,Touches our foolish hearts.Lovely ... Never, ever change.Keep that breathless charm.Won't you please arrange it ?'Cause we love youJust the way you look tonight."There ANN, that's from JIM and I as we wish you a happy and peaceful 2005! Keep smiling! ;-)

Gerry Tan ● 7421d

Gerry,  "Stay as sweet as you are    Don't let a thing ever change you;    Stay as grand as you are,    Don't let a soul rearrange you...Probably have some words incorrect, but you will get the gist...anyway, I owe you that for "Santa, baby!" I doubt if anyone on any of our forums would want you to change a jot - yourself and Jim always keep the rest of us smiling. 

Ann S. Allridge ● 7421d

Resolutions - impossible to keep - daft to make 'em!

Vanessa Smith ● 7421d