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“There’s people alive today that, if they didn't have a place like BOOST (Burnt Oak Opportunity Support Team) to come to, wouldn't be. That's why I love what I do, and why I'm always going out of my way to help individuals. If you don’t know the system, it can be very difficult and scary to navigate, but people shouldn't have to fight for justice. We offer wraparound support which can really change people's lives, and we’ve so far helped over 500 people to find sustained employment, or training, or go back into education. I had gambling issues of my own when I was young, and in 2001 I went from earning loads of money as a stockbroker to owing loads of money and having to move back in with my mum. So I can relate. That, and the fact that I'm slightly unshaven in a polo neck shirt, means they’re more likely to open up and say, 'Well actually, this is my real situation'. I’m great at talking to people, good at problem-solving, and when I advocate on other people's behalf I often win.
"There’s one particular gentleman who comes and sees me on a regular basis. When I first met him, he was living on a £10-a-week hand-out from a friend after his benefits were stopped while he was in hospital in a coma. It took months of appeals and tribunals, but in the end everything got backdated and he got a cheque for £8,000 - which he really needed for things like rent arrears. He's now on Universal Credit, as he should have been from the beginning, and he's volunteering at a local British Heart Foundation which he loves. Another gentleman was denied PIP (Personal Independence Payments) and again had to go through endless months of paperwork and tribunals before he received £16,000. It was backdated for the 4 years he'd been entitled to support but had received nothing. When we received the ruling we said, 'We need to frame this! It confirms everything we’ve been fighting for.' So we did. I’ve got a copy here and if I’m ever a bit low, I look at it and go, 'That’s why I’m here, why I’m doing this.'"
“There’s people alive today that, if they didn't have a place like BOOST (Burnt Oak Opportunity Support Team) to come to, wouldn't be. That's why I love what I do, and why I'm always going out of my way to help individuals. If you don’t know the system, it can be very difficult and scary to navigate, but people shouldn't have to fight for justice. We offer wraparound support which can really change people's lives, and we’ve so far helped over 500 people to find sustained employment, or training, or go back into education. I had gambling issues of my own when I was young, and in 2001 I went from earning loads of money as a stockbroker to owing loads of money and having to move back in with my mum. So I can relate. That, and the fact that I'm slightly unshaven in a polo neck shirt, means they’re more likely to open up and say, 'Well actually, this is my real situation'. I’m great at talking to people, good at problem-solving, and when I advocate on other people's behalf I often win.
"There’s one particular gentleman who comes and sees me on a regular basis. When I first met him, he was living on a £10-a-week hand-out from a friend after his benefits were stopped while he was in hospital in a coma. It took months of appeals and tribunals, but in the end everything got backdated and he got a cheque for £8,000 - which he really needed for things like rent arrears. He's now on Universal Credit, as he should have been from the beginning, and he's volunteering at a local British Heart Foundation which he loves. Another gentleman was denied PIP (Personal Independence Payments) and again had to go through endless months of paperwork and tribunals before he received £16,000. It was backdated for the 4 years he'd been entitled to support but had received nothing. When we received the ruling we said, 'We need to frame this! It confirms everything we’ve been fighting for.' So we did. I’ve got a copy here and if I’m ever a bit low, I look at it and go, 'That’s why I’m here, why I’m doing this.'"
“There’s people alive today that, if they didn't have a place like BOOST (Burnt Oak Opportunity Support Team) to come to, wouldn't be. That's why I love what I do, and why I'm always going out of my way to help individuals. If you don’t know the system, it can be very difficult and scary to navigate, but people shouldn't have to fight for justice. We offer wraparound support which can really change people's lives, and we’ve so far helped over 500 people to find sustained employment, or training, or go back into education. I had gambling issues of my own when I was young, and in 2001 I went from earning loads of money as a stockbroker to owing loads of money and having to move back in with my mum. So I can relate. That, and the fact that I'm slightly unshaven in a polo neck shirt, means they’re more likely to open up and say, 'Well actually, this is my real situation'. I’m great at talking to people, good at problem-solving, and when I advocate on other people's behalf I often win.