Dole Animators, a ground-breaking project based in Leeds, is a group of jobseekers, single parents and disabled people who have made an animated film called “All in this together” about their experience claiming support through social security during the period when the government’s welfare reforms are being implemented. {jcomments on}
The film ‘All in this together’, organised by CPAG, was launched on 15th October.
The experiences covered in the film include loss of social life, loss of confidence, constant anxiety, worsening health, eating mouldy food to survive, stealing food to survive, losing a home, being hit by the ‘bedroom tax’, being sanctioned because of Jobcentre mistakes, poor service from the Jobcentre, and feeling that being on benefits is like being in ‘a prison’.
“The film is important because it shows the experiences of benefit claimants. We want to get the message out there that we are not scroungers, and that being on benefits is not an easy life. If we had a choice, we would not choose to be on benefits. Our story is not the story that we hear from government and in the papers. The Work Programme is not working. People are not getting jobs. The government has no clue and doesn’t consider other things such as people’s mental health” said Susan who is a single parent on Jobseeker’s Allowance and the Work Programme
Ruth Patrick, School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Leeds, whose research led to the initiation of the film project, said: “Both this film and my linked research into the lived experiences of welfare reform demonstrate the extent of the mismatch between government rhetoric and the reality for those struggling to survive on out-of-work benefits. “
Read the full story here
