Post by timmo on Jul 28, 2018 15:49:40 GMT
I am one of life's great underachievers.
Childhood was not the happiest time of my life and school offered little in the way of respite. I left school at sixteen and home just after my seventeenth birthday. I spent the next few decades drifting between various jobs and voluntary work, interspersed with periods of homelessness, drug use and reliance on the benefits system. In my late thirties I decided I wanted more out of life so I went back to school. During my Access to Higher Education diploma, I learned I had dyscalculia and with support, passed with distinction thus securing a place at university. During my first year I had an official assessment and on the back of that, various levels of support and considerations were put into play. Having failed the first year, it quickly became apparent that there was more to it than dyscalculia, and I spoke with my GP who then referred me to the adult ADHD clinic where I was assessed and given a formal diagnosis. I am currently awaiting an appointment for an autism assessment. I have just finished my fourth year at university which in academic terms, is my second year owing to a repeat year and a period of intercalation.
A huge challenge that runs parallel to my studies is my financial situation. I have a job through the university's employment service, but I am just not getting the hours. I average five hours a week which clearly does not cover my bills let alone rent. I have failed to secure my previous position twice now, and I believe this is a result of my poor time-keeping. Balancing work and studies is a separate challenge in itself, since everything takes me so much longer, and I have extra tuition/support to factor into my weekly schedule (kindly provided by my department as the services offered through Disabled Student's Allowance did not suit my needs - numeracy being classed as 'subject specific' and therefore not covered by DSA). I have also been referred from the counselling service to a psychologist to address childhood baggage and it's impact on me as an adult.
I applied for PIP. The tribunal favoured the DWP who didn't even turn up. It was the most humiliating and crushing experience I have experienced in a long while. I am going to apply again only this time I will find support as I cannot go through all of that alone again (that also counted against me despite the fact I told them that I didn't have anyone to accompany me because I have struggled to form friendships since moving 300 miles from my old friends).
I want to set up some form of appeal/donation site to raise funds to cover things like the heat gun I had to purchase in order to build my sampler for my dissertation field work. This money I have 'borrowed' from my direct debit account. If I don't replace it in two weeks, one of my bills will bounce. Also, I recently bought an Echo Dot, which is an absolute game-changer! I would like to expand on this and utilise smart plugs and bulbs so that I can 'program' my routine. Imagine setting the bedroom light to come on with your alarm and dimming the lights along with a fifteen minute bedtime warning. Heck, I could even have a fan blast cold air in my face - I am not a morning person!
So, basically, I want to set up a donation site to raise funds to cover the expenses of my studies and things that would help me manage my day-to-day routine more effectively but I'm embarrassed because essentially, it's begging. Does anyone know of any such donation platforms that would allow me to do this anonymously, or if there are any charitable trusts that accept applications from individuals? Being a single male in his forties with no dependants rules me out of a lot grant opportunities. I have no savings, I don't own my own home and I am a credit risk so I am a bit screwed.
Childhood was not the happiest time of my life and school offered little in the way of respite. I left school at sixteen and home just after my seventeenth birthday. I spent the next few decades drifting between various jobs and voluntary work, interspersed with periods of homelessness, drug use and reliance on the benefits system. In my late thirties I decided I wanted more out of life so I went back to school. During my Access to Higher Education diploma, I learned I had dyscalculia and with support, passed with distinction thus securing a place at university. During my first year I had an official assessment and on the back of that, various levels of support and considerations were put into play. Having failed the first year, it quickly became apparent that there was more to it than dyscalculia, and I spoke with my GP who then referred me to the adult ADHD clinic where I was assessed and given a formal diagnosis. I am currently awaiting an appointment for an autism assessment. I have just finished my fourth year at university which in academic terms, is my second year owing to a repeat year and a period of intercalation.
A huge challenge that runs parallel to my studies is my financial situation. I have a job through the university's employment service, but I am just not getting the hours. I average five hours a week which clearly does not cover my bills let alone rent. I have failed to secure my previous position twice now, and I believe this is a result of my poor time-keeping. Balancing work and studies is a separate challenge in itself, since everything takes me so much longer, and I have extra tuition/support to factor into my weekly schedule (kindly provided by my department as the services offered through Disabled Student's Allowance did not suit my needs - numeracy being classed as 'subject specific' and therefore not covered by DSA). I have also been referred from the counselling service to a psychologist to address childhood baggage and it's impact on me as an adult.
I applied for PIP. The tribunal favoured the DWP who didn't even turn up. It was the most humiliating and crushing experience I have experienced in a long while. I am going to apply again only this time I will find support as I cannot go through all of that alone again (that also counted against me despite the fact I told them that I didn't have anyone to accompany me because I have struggled to form friendships since moving 300 miles from my old friends).
I want to set up some form of appeal/donation site to raise funds to cover things like the heat gun I had to purchase in order to build my sampler for my dissertation field work. This money I have 'borrowed' from my direct debit account. If I don't replace it in two weeks, one of my bills will bounce. Also, I recently bought an Echo Dot, which is an absolute game-changer! I would like to expand on this and utilise smart plugs and bulbs so that I can 'program' my routine. Imagine setting the bedroom light to come on with your alarm and dimming the lights along with a fifteen minute bedtime warning. Heck, I could even have a fan blast cold air in my face - I am not a morning person!
So, basically, I want to set up a donation site to raise funds to cover the expenses of my studies and things that would help me manage my day-to-day routine more effectively but I'm embarrassed because essentially, it's begging. Does anyone know of any such donation platforms that would allow me to do this anonymously, or if there are any charitable trusts that accept applications from individuals? Being a single male in his forties with no dependants rules me out of a lot grant opportunities. I have no savings, I don't own my own home and I am a credit risk so I am a bit screwed.