Top Tips for Young People

If you don't know where you are now, how can you figure out where you're going in the future? 1. Get a diary (pound shop), write down appointments, visits from social workers, any phone calls made/ received, what happened when, even missed appointments.

So for future dates and the past, in case you need to remember.
Record everything.
And use it and look at it everyday!! You can do this on the mobile but they get lost, nicked etc.

2.

If you think a meeting, signing on, any face to face situation is possibly going to be difficult, take someone (better not your boy or girlfriend) with you, who will stay calm. Ask them to take notes. You have to check it's ok with the other people at the meeting, it often is.

The Job Centre and Housing Benefit staff are very helpful when you have an older person with you! 3. Keep EVERY single piece of paper from Social Services, benefits offices, Job Centre Plus, the doctor/hospitals, Housing Association/landlords, lawyers, gas/electric bills, receipts for big items - anything that involves you, your home, your children, money, health.
If you can, put them into a file in alphabetical sections.

A clean Tesco's bag is ok too. 4.
If you have an important meeting, get someone to ring you to get you up! Even 2 people.
Mobile alarms are easily ignored/turned off.
And especially for an interview. Get what you need ready the night before, it makes getting there on time much easier.
5.
Whatever the meeting, if it's official in some way, you will always be OK in clean black trousers/skirt & white shirt with a jumper, jacket or cardigan and dark shoes or boots.

If you look like you take yourself seriously, others will do the same.

6.

If you've got an important phone call to make, think (and smile!) before you dial. Talk it over with someone, write down what you need to say.
Practice saying it. If it might be difficult, work out best & worst case scenarios, and how to handle them. Stay polite.
7.
Pay your bills, even a £10 a month will help.
This is especially important for rent and utilities (gas, electricity and water).
Try to do this the minute you are paid or receive your benefits.

Keep a change pot and throw your coins into it, it will soon mount up and can be a painless way to help with bills.

Talk to the utility company if you are struggling, this will prevent or delay supplies being cut off, and the extra charges this brings.
If the bill is red, you need to contact the supplier immediately.
If the bailiffs come, it is frightening and expensive. Payments little and often will help!