It is essential for any group aiming to organise or represent people to build up familiarity and the trust of a community. Doing this takes hard work and persistence and consistency.
Luckily Kilburn Unemployed Workers Group, even at this early stage in our development has attracted some really dedicated activists who can now be seen outside Kilburn Jobcentre on most days, giving out flyer's and talking to people about their experiences.
The reception so far has been very good. After all, Unemployed people know all to well the frustrations and petty humiliation that are part of the experience of claiming benefits. When we explain ourselves, we've found most people can see the point of having an organisation to represent their interests and views and to stand up for the rights of the unemployed!
As a result, attendance at our weekly meetings is also beginning to pick up with at least one or two new faces each week.
We try to make the meetings as welcoming and friendly as possible with no jargon or bureaucracy: just an opportunity to tell your story, let off steam and see if we can reach solutions together.
If you can't make the meetings, however, we still want to hear from you.
Just click on the link on the right hand side of the page to get a copy of our questionaire, complete it and email it to us.
In order to give you a flavour of what we do: we'll also be posting some pieces about the most common benefit problems and their solutions so watch out for that in the coming weeks!
Self-help support vs ravages of 'welfare reform'. Never attend anywhere official alone!
This blog currently focuses on national policy matters that impact upon KUWG members.
Kilburn Unemployed Workers Group as a group focuses primarily on combating benefits injustices locally through advocacy in individuals' benefit claims, and demonstrations that emphasise that there is hope when we come together. We are more angry than frightened.
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