A big thank you to everyone who has replied to my post about the New
Deal. You have made me feel better as I thought I was the only one who
felt this way. THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I spent 2 weeks on the New Deal I meant the two week training course
at the beginning of the New Deal called the two week 'Gateway to Work'
course. This is supposed to 'prepare' you to be more 'job ready'. What
a load of absolute rubbish! I found it a degrading experience and
never want to go through it again. I'd rather go without benefit to be
honest - it was that bad! I agree, it was like being sent to jail,
amongst criminals and weirdos. I was sexually harassed while there -
I felt threatened. I had to get out of that place. My New Deal advisor
has treated with no respect whatsoever - no sympathy. Disgraceful
attitude, disgusted. Whoever devised the system should be ashamed of
themselves. I'm a decent enough person; I shouldn't be feeling so
depressed.  We did pointless, useless exercises and I never got
anywhere as regards to a job - I mean a decent job - not a rubbish
job. I'll organise my own training in future thank you very much - and
get a decent job. DIY as usual. I had a genuine reason for being out
of work for that length of time and to be treated like this is just
disgusting. I foolishly thought this was to give me a helping hand.
Just goes to show how wrong you can be!