And it is back to the job centre I go...

I can't wait.

Genuine.

Hull was BUZZing this afternoon.

I don't normally post blogs like this but I just wanted to point out how one person has made a huge difference in my city. Jean Bishop AKA #BeeLady is by far the cutest lady I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Every saturday when I went into Hull City Centre, in my youth, lol, which was a good while ago, Jean was always in the city wearing the bee costume raising money for AgeUK. I hope AgeUK have acknowledged Jean because it would be disgusting if they haven't..... *goes off to check* they have, phew!

What I will say is that Jean has spent about 14 years raising money for AgeUK and has raised over £100,000, she reached that target when she was awarded 'fundraiser of the year' at the Pride Of Britain awards last week. David Walliams surprised her to tell her she had won the award wearing a bee suit too!

I was there today when Jean opened her phone box, and what a moment it was, a large amount of people turned up to see Jean officially open her own phonebox that had been decorated as a bee! I read though that they're only planning to keep it for a month! WHAT THE FUDGE!?

I know Luke Campbell won gold and all that, but this is a lady old enough to be my great grandma wearing a bee costume every weekend to raise money for other old people, she's as much as hero as Luke! It has been lovely seeing how much people love Jean, the amount of excitement on the internet over her is outstanding, Hull is behind her!

Go Jean, you absolute sweetie!

YAY Jean!

Tweet me, @DebStevo90

I just don't even know how to describe my year.

So much has happened. :]

One in a million.: GoThinkBig Q&A with Nick Clegg

One in a million.: GoThinkBig Q&A with Nick Clegg: So today I was in London for a special GTB event, a Q&A with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, I applied for this because I am passionat...

GoThinkBig Q&A with Nick Clegg

So today I was in London for a special GTB event, a Q&A with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, I applied for this because I am passionate about youth unemployment and the shoddy support we receive from the government. In my application I wrote that it would be criminal not to give me this opportunity as I would be entertaining - perhaps. 

I was the first one there this morning - no fear though, I met one of Nick's press team in the lift (hooray) and we chatted about what I wanted to ask him, she was really lovely and wished me luck. Got sat in the lounge area with some breakfast and met some really nice people - did a bit of networking, what's your twitter etc, every little helps I guess! 

The next bit just changed the whole day - Eleanor from GTB wanders over and offers me the opportunity to shadow an FHM journalist for the morning, not my type of magazine but why the hell not eh! Met Jordan who is the web editor who then tells me that we are getting a 5 minute interview with him after the Q&A - NICE! Was really good hearing how Jordan worked his way up through the business, he's worked hard man and it's really inspired me, will probs have to do the big move soon I reckon. Eeeek. 

The Q&A was really good, and all the questions were so different that it really didn't feel as if there was any repetition which was good, I particularly enjoyed the question on the Scottish referendum, Nick basically said when we work together we can get more done. He obviously said it in a more persuasive and complex way but you catch my drift! Got a cheeky photo of him doing his intro speech; 

Speaking of photos, it was so funny noticing all the hilarious things that Jordan pointed out that Nick would do for example; point out the people who were sitting on the beanbags and getting a good photo op, lol.

So anyhow, the Q&A finishes and we head downstairs for the interview and it was pretty mint actually, saw the press person from the lift, told her I didn't get to ask my question in the Q&A so we get extra time which was ace. Jordan had some work for FHM to do first - questions, that you can read when it comes out. It was interesting because it wasn't about what I thought it would be, but Nick had some funny responses, so that was good. Took this cheeky photo of him whilst I was sitting opposite him; 

I'm dead proud of this ^-^

So yeah, I got to ask Nick my question which was "job centres are pretty awful, and even worse when you come from one of the highest unemployed cities...you basically walk in, sign and then shoved out of the door, I'm a number to them, but I'm a person and I have dreams and aspirations! What are you doing about this to make it better and easier to find a job?" his first response was "to get the economy moving" to which I told him that he should seal the deal on the Siemens deal in Hull, I don't think he appreciated my honesty there, but in July he was quoted saying that the deal was 'imminent' it's October now pal. Additionally, he stated that more work experience was vital - I told him that so much of it isn't working because there simply aren't the jobs there for people to be taken on. 

There are a few other ace bits - but I don't want to share those yet, pipeline stuff init. All in good times folks. 

We were rushed a bit after this, but yeah, it was a great experience! Managed to get a cheeky photo with him which was pretty cool, I look like shit, so just don't look at my face, okay?

Wheyy - me and Cleggy!

Saw something that made me laugh today. I absolutely agree with Andre. I'm no fan of Nick Clegg because he's made such a massive boo boo out of being leader of the Liberal Democrats and really pissed people off, but he was actually a really nice guy - I know, I'm sorry, I know that's not what you wanna hear!

Thanks to @GoThinkBig - what a day, I can't thank you enough! It was worth like 6 hours of travelling from home! 

Check them out at www.gothinkbig.co.uk if you're interested in media, they're great! 

Any comments, write below, or tweet me @DebStevo90

Stevo xx

GoThinkBig

Anyone wanting to get into media and such should be looking at GoThinkBig they have a manifesto with O2, Bauer media and other to help young people get work experience opportunities and attend skills days.

I've been lucky enough to be chosen to attend two of the events, which is awesome! Visiting Heat magazine and meeting the editors who create work week in week out that makes me full on LOL was ace, it was great finally putting a face to the names I have come to know over the years!

On Monday, I am attending a four hour workshop where we get to hear from industry experts and network too which is scary but really exciting, I cannot wait! Will write on here to say how it went!

Plus, GoThinkBig are really good at RT'ing your tweets so that you can see who else is going, and they engage really well with their audience by asking for tips and tricks about interviews, CV's, telephone interviews and just general job hunting, they're really building a community and I'm thrilled to be a part of it!

This sounds like a love letter or something...it's not, but it's great to see the work they do!

I sent thank you letters too, because I am just that thankful.... every little helps! :D

Read the manifesto here; GoThinkBigManifesto

Got something to say? Tweet me; @DebStevo90

Enjoy!

Stevo!xo

What's been happening with me recently.

QUITE A LOT ACTUALLY.

Right now, it is fair to say I am LOVIN' life!

I recently completed a basic Bid Writing course which is awesome, looking forward to getting stuck into that and helping some worthy courses. I did the course so that I could volunteer my time to help other organisations across the city, but also, to be able to get involved in some of my works make core work which is awesome! I need to do some practise on all the different areas and sort of find something to apply for.. :] SO, we'll see.

I'm listening to Wham, so I apologise if a cheeky Wham lyric sneaks in....

Friday 19th July was a pretty awesome day. Firstly, I got the opportunity to appear on Peter Levys Lunch time Radio show which was ace! I sounded a bit of a douche because I unintentionally put on my telephone voice... why would I do that? I should just speak like a 'ull person and all that! It was a great experience, I didn't feel nervous and got the chance to talk about my blogging (sort of) which is good!

The second awesome thing about Friday was that I got an email inviting me to the GoThinkBig event at Heat! magazine called 'Meet Heat Editorial Speed-Dating Skills Day' which is if any of you know me personally is HUGE news as I love reading Heat! Who doesn't love celeb gossip. don't pretend like you don't read the side of the Daily Mail every morning! So basically I was a wreck on that day because all my hard work was starting to really amount to something. You might not agree, but it's exposure and you can't get any better than that! The whole day was pretty amazing - I've been going to London a lot recently so am starting to get annoyed with tourists (lol, whut) - but yeah, walking down Shaftsbury Avenue into Heat! towers was pretty amazing. I was a bit lost for words when Lucie Cave walked out, I was sat there thinking, "that's Lucie fucking Cave, look at that orange jumpsuit, I too should be wearing something just as fabulous!" and low and behold, I wasn't wearing something fabulous, in fact I was sweating my fucking face off, haha.

I met all the different editors which was pretty swish actually, we got to spend time with all of them asking them about their lives before and during Heat! and how they came to be there. I left the day feeling pretty damn inspired. I'm sending a letter of thanks off tomorrow, and will be applying for work experience with them very soon which is dead exciting.

Anyhow, got an email on Friday which was ace too, I have been invited to another GoThinkBig event, although, I don't remember applying for this one, so who knows. Maybe the fact I tweeted them like a million times saying thank you has made some sort of impression? But yeah, next Monday, I'm back in the big smoke hitting up Heat! towers again, but will be meeting editors from all different areas of media which is pretty swish, so will keep you informed.

Right now, I feel very lucky. I am making my oppourtunities, and showing how grateful I am to have them too.

Desperado to some something?
Give us a tweet mate, @DebStevo90

Laters,
Stevo. xo

"Statistics suggest 23% of people under 25 are unemployed in Europe."

Fuck me, that is A LOT of people.

I am scared, scared for young people that leave education and have very little chance of getting onto the employment ladder. However, at the same time, listening to friends and other bits from things I have seen online, I don't think that young people are completely helpless. I just feel as if there is low moral amongst incredibly bright and brilliant people that is being wasted at mind numbing visits to the job centre, week in week out.

Right now, I think you have to make your own opportunities. I am. I work endlessly doing things which I know will make a difference. I still volunteer on a weekend, and actually because it isn't a full time commitment, I am going to work on something else too on a weekend as well as my job. It' is tiring, but I think at the end of the day my CV will look awesome and I'll have some great references to back it up. I go on about volunteer work a lot but I really feel if you want to get in somewhere, starting as a volunteer is a great way to get your foot in the door.

 If you're concious of the cost implications, some - not all organisations will pay reasonable expenses (bus fairs/petrol money) for your time, which is quite good. That obviously does depend on where you go.

I understand that you might feel put out by having to shell out dolla for a bus but just think of the rewards - more experience, making friends, networking, improved or new skills and a killer reference. And let us not forget that when applying for work, that people love a cheeky bit of volunteer work because you don't seen some self involved! Hahaha.

I still can't get over that figure, I mean, bloody hell.

To my friends who have graduated this year, well done and now comes the hard part! A couple of friends have managed to gain employment before they even graduated... and I couldn't be prouder!

I don't feel as if this blog is that funny without my hilarious trips to the job centre... not that I miss them, but it would be funny to make a return one day. Just for a minute or so. that place is pretty depressing. Soz.

So yeah mate, got something to say?
@DebStevo90 - give me a tweet and tell me if you don't like it, I won't take offence, honest.

Laters,
Stevo, xo

"Back to work schemes"

Fundamentally, the 'back to work' scheme had positive connotations, giving those work experience and in some cases the opportunity to be taken on at the end of eight weeks of work. Now, I know it isn't completely unpaid work because you still claim your benefits and are given your expenses, but why should you do exactly the same amount of work as someone on the payroll for less than half what they're earning? 

Example; 

Cait Reilly was forced to work for Poundland stacking shelves, she will have only been given her benefits of £56.25 a week plus expenses. So say she gets the bus everyday at £3.00 return? Altogether she will have been earning £68.25 a week for a 30 hour week. Someone on the payroll, lets say they were the same age will have been earning £6.19 an hour for the pleasure of restocking the shelves in Poundland, a thirty hour week will have seen her taken home more than DOUBLE what Cait will have, £185.70 to be exact. That amount won't have been taxed either because it falls under the bracket, so lucky lucky! 

Before I started my intern ship I was doing some sort of 'back to work' scheme, but mine was called 'work experience' instead to avoid placing in the same category as Cait Reilly as her fight against DWP was making some big headlines. I'm not going to badmouth where I was on experience because the people I worked for were great, and gave me time and their energy to gain some more experience. 

My issue with this scheme is that the government is paying for a business to have a worker doing work that they're basically not prepared to do themselves. Cait Reilly was forced to stack shelves for a discount store when she was volunteering at a local gallery, something which interested her and gave her experience of all kinds. But because she was claiming JSA she was forced to stack shelves to fit in with her 'contract' under the DWP. 

A lot of the businesses that involve themselves in the 'back to work' scheme are there to get free labour for the work they can't be bothered to do themselves, with the 'potential' for a job at the end, most of them don't have a job for you at the end. Where I was did have the opportunity for it in the end because I knew they were looking for someone to do tele-marketing from their website before I went there, but I was there with another guy who was also hoping for a job at the end. There will have only been one job - and both of us fighting for it despite us both doing the same amount of work, it's too ruthless for me. I knew I had my intern ship starting in January so leaving after six weeks felt like the right decision. I was going to some other work experience but it fell through with it being so close to Christmas. 

The government is being taken for a ride with these schemes because they're having to continue to pay someone their benefits and expenses whilst businesses get free labour. Whereas, if they allowed people to volunteer their time with a cause they felt they could help, they would be paying an expenses themselves. 

What a surprise, the coalition are wasting money, yet again. I haven't heard of anyone having any luck with the scheme and I've known quite a few people take that route out of sheer boredom of job hunting. Most have come back and said "an utter waste of money, my time and theirs". 

Cannot argue with that, can you? 

Got something to say? 

Tweet me; @DebStevo90 

I've not written in ages....

... sorry, I've been busy working and that. You know!

Anyhow, wanting to get back into this because I love a good bitchy comment!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to one and all. Hope you all had a lovely evening whatever you got up to!

Hope that 2013 brings you good health and happiness!


Stevo xoxo