Week 1: Job hunt, another week and Christmas creeping in

Hi, Emily and Kerry, in a week where good news and 'not-so-great' news are jostling for space here!

First, I, Emily, have an update on the Co-op job which, unfortunately I didn't get. This really surprised me, Kerry, because Emily’s learnt loads about the Co-op, and would be so good. Equally we both know sometimes life goes like that. I’m waiting for feedback to why I didn’t get it, which will be helpful. The good news is, I had an interview with another company last week too, so fingers crossed on this!

Speaking of things moving fast, are we the only ones seeing Christmas creeping in already? Even before Halloween, some shops were loaded up with Christmas cards, decorations and gifts!. It makes us wonder if all this early shopping has added to a few (nameless) companies stress, namely delivering parcels to the wrong places, as we’ve both had this experience recently. It's a real headache when that happens isn’t it, have you had this experience too?

A key thing on our minds though this week, is the government (Department for Work and Pensions) publishing their application process to take part in the Timms Review. The panel is going to review welfare benefits, notably PIP (Personal Independence Payments). They want 12 disabled people, who represent disabled people’s organisations, to form the panel. We are impressed by the paperwork, and seems the DWP are genuinely seeking representation of different disabilities, including people with a learning disability.  

We do wonder if any of our recent letters to the government urging them to include our voices, may have helped? We feel strongly the government need to hear our experiences, and have said so. It’s exactly what’s needed.

However, there is a big problem. We'll tell you all about that next week!

The writers of the Our View column are supported in their editing by People First Dorset - a charity led and run by people with learning disabilities with support from staff