Why is it Needed?
There is a huge amount of work that needs doing in our most deprived communities and very often people who live there are best placed to do this work. For the long-term unemployed, seeing the results of their work in their local community can also be a powerful motivator back into work.
We believe that the Community Allowance will assist people back into work by enabling them to take on part time, short term or sessional work in their local community. This in turn will strengthen their neighbourhood through the range of activities that could be worked on through the Community Allowance; running a lunch club for older people, a youth drop in, being a lollipop lady or maintaining a community centre or garden.
The benefits system was established in 1948 and was designed around the needs of a nuclear family where one person works full time. Although the system has been updated many times since its inception, it causes many difficulties for people wanting to work flexibly part time. The Community Allowance would simplify the system for participants, creating an environment where they could gain invaluable skills to get back to work.
To Strengthen NeighbourhoodsThe difficulties that face community organisations which want to employ local residents on a part time, short term, sessional or seasonal basis include:
