I have not had much experience with work coaches. But back in 2015 to 2019, I was on carers allowance due to my son going through chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation x 2. My son was on high rate care and mobility, and every six months I would be asked in for a work focused interview. I phoned the job centre, who then voided this interview and they said not to worry as it was a standard thing that was sent out and due to my circumstances it didn't apply to us.

I’ve written about this before and currently have no interaction with the work coaches, although I know this will change once my youngest child is 13.

When my child reaches 13 next year, I will have to find more working hours. At the moment I’m working 28 hours a week to fit around my children. I will possibly be subjected to job centre visits and once again talking to the work coaches who treat me like a number - a part of the job they must finish, it’s a tick box exercise . Most will not help me to find more work. I just hope I will find a full time job by then.

“Summer’s Here, So’s the Fear”

A poem about free school meals vanishing over summer.

Ah, summer—the season of sun,

Of ice creams and barbecues,

For families with money, it’s fun—

For us? It’s budgeting voodoo.

The bell rings its final term-time chime,

Kids cheer like it’s Christmas Day.

But for us, it’s hunger o’clock time—

Three meals, seven days? Okay.

During term, there’s magic—school food:

A hot meal, no charge, no shame.

Now it’s back on us—ain’t that good?

Oh look, poverty’s a game!

Let’s pack up a picnic of air and hope,

With a side of whatever’s on sale.

We’re gourmet chefs with no damn rope,

Crafting “snacks” from what’s least stale.

“Make it fun!” the leaflets say—

Turn lunch into a ‘learning goal.’

Sure, just teach my toddler to filet

A tin of beans with a broken soul.

The fridge hums low, a pale, cold ghost,

Cupboards hold their silent dreams.

One child longs for crisps the most,

The other weeps in quiet streams.

Tesco’s till says £42.90,

My purse says, “You’re joking, right?”

I put things back with hands all clammy—

Just rice tonight… with candlelight?

But hey, let’s not be bitter—

The government says, “It builds grit!”

They think hunger makes us fitter—

Character, forged while we eat… jack shit.

So cheers to the summer, raise your toast

(If you’ve still got bread to burn).

To struggling parents coast to coast—

May school meals soon return.

And when they do, we breathe, then brace—

A fragile calm in a brutal race.

For summer comes with quiet dread,

As empty bowls return instead.

Been really struggling mentally, I’ve struggled with my mental health for most of my adult life, and have been trying to get an adhd diagnoses for 5 years, I have recently been put back on antidepressants which I am reluctant to take as I feel like they just give me them and leave me to it. I am grieving and need support, there doesn't seem to be any support. Financially I am really struggling, worrying about my child going to nursery and the UC bullying me back to work, I have such anxiety over how I will afford my private rented flat, the council won’t meet with me to discuss social housing and I have again, like mental health, been told it could be up to 8 years, I feel like my life is being put on hold.

Hello everyone, me and my friends we had beautiful Saturday out with our kids at farm. The kids did enjoy it and we took them to park to play too. The weather was nice but late it started raining. I hope that everyone is enjoying summer weather 😊😊

Keir Starmer has doubled down on his plans to slash disability benefits – even as more than 100 Labour MPs vow to block the bill.

The Prime Minister says “the system is broken” and must be reformed – but trade unions, Labour backbenchers, and even ministers are threatening open revolt.

One senior MP says:

💬 “Either we sack him or he sacks Reeves.”

The cuts would target Personal Independence Payments, with £5bn in savings expected. But the backlash is growing louder – and rumours of deselection, whip threats, and ministerial resignations are swirling.

Starmer insists:

🗣 “This is not a confidence vote.”

But as pressure mounts from both inside and outside the party, is Labour on the verge of a civil war?

📅 MPs vote next Tuesday.

👀 Watch this space.

Hi Maria,

thank you for your Big Question.

I had a work coach who would send me appointments to attend during my work hours. I would reply with my availability and still get times and dates to attend when I am at work.

I also get text messages saying respond by today or you will face sanctions.

This was adding unnecessary pressure that would cause me mental stress.

My last appointment a few months ago, he told me to go to my employer and ask for more hours..... I was at the time doing over 35 hours, now doing over 40 hours.

I explained about my health and severe symptoms relating to menopause, medication, Therapy appointments and hospital referral by my GP, All of this was completely dismissed and disregarded. He spoke over me and said you need to show evidence that you're looking for more work.

That's my awful experience of having no support. This is the treatment towards someone who worked in a stable job for 30 years and paid all her taxes.

Im afraid I have nothing positive to share with you .

I feel exhausted, working 2 jobs, over 45 hours and still struggling to make ends meet because of living costs. It's a constant grind, no rest or break. It's scary thinking about the impact on health and wellbeing. :(

Hope everyone is doing okay

Having high fever is really bad can't even open my eyes and u need to take the kids to the park is bad

The hot weather is welcomed as I don't need to worry about putting heating on, however still having to top gas meter by £15 a week just for 1 hour hot water morning and night plus paying for pre payment meter being there.

A lot in media of war of America, Israel and Iran.

It's very worrying to me.

No end in sight and instead is worsening.

Anyone else in constant state of anxiety due to war and constant confusing information?

Struggling quite badly financially since my daughter left school. The money on her own claim doesn’t just switch from a child claim to a claim under her own name, despite nothing being different. This has had a massive impact on our cash flow in to the house and now I’m really struggling to make ends meet. My daughter lacks capacity so she’s unable to manage her own money. She really struggles in the usual school setting so trying to find her some kind of education provider for the past 7 years has been difficult. Pretty sure my daughter is on the autism spectrum somewhere but lack of education means no assessment so no diagnosis. I’m really struggling badly. As it is I was assaulted in my home and since then have hallucinations and quite poor mental health. The last place I want to be is stuck at home in my house with my bad memories but i have no choice. Can’t go out and do anything. Neither can I just get up and move. I’m feeling really lost and the worse bit is, even though my daughter doesn’t understand why I’m the way I am, she’s definitely picking up my distress.