Derbyshire Unemployed Workers' Centres

Derbyshire Unemployed Workers' Centres (DUWC)️ 2 months ago

What a find. Amongst all the film footage we dug up from 1984-5 for miners' strike exhibition is this recording of a public meeting held in the Chesterfield Unenemployed Workers' Centre headquarters at 54 Saltergate in 1985. The meeting was called by the North Derbyshire Advice Centres' Alliance and discusses the huge problems with the benefits system. Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose. Chaired by Keith Peck. Speakers Dave Fox, Christine Wood and Tony Benn. A bit long but needs keeping for posterity.

Derbyshire Unemployed Workers' Centres (DUWC)️ 2 months ago

20,000 people helped – DUWC hits milestone By the end of this month the 20,000th person to be helped by Derbyshire Unemployed Workers’ Centres will have passed through our doors since our database went live in 2014. The Centres were set up in the early 1980s so the total figure will probably be nearly three times this number. The Centres help people with problems claiming social security benefits and challenging decisions by the Department for Work and Pensions. Over the years many people who have lost their jobs, been made redundant or have become too ill to work have visited our three Offices and 16 outreach venues. Older people have come with Attendance Allowance forms, enquiries concerning Pension Credit and Carers benefits. DUWC covers Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire, Bolsover and Amber Valley as well as other areas of Derbyshire on certain projects. From support to families with children to senior citizens trying to make ends meet, Centre staff have been giving consistent help for over 40 years. The areas with the greatest take up of help are Shirebrook North with over 1500, Rother and Spire wards in Chesterfield with over 1000 unique individuals coming for help, often representing couples or families. “Everywhere in our catchment area people have sought advice” said Colin Hampton Coordinator of DUWC for over 40 years, “ill health can happen to any of us and is no respecter of where you live. What our stats show is that the nearer you are to one of our offices or outreaches, the more likely you are to seek advice and support. Many organisations, for their own benefit, force people to use the phone or computer to access services – we have shown that there is still a need for face to face support, especially amongst the elderly and those who are not well.” Derbyshire Unemployed Workers Centres are open to all, and advice is available at venues across Derbyshire as well as by telephone 01246 231441 and on-line. See www.duwc.org.uk .