My name is Matthew Grenney. I am 19 years old and I come from Portsmouth. I was really pleased to be given the chance to go to Mencap’s lobby in the Houses of Parliament on 13 January 2016. My MP is Flick Drummond who represents Portsmouth South. I wanted to meet Flick to tell her a bit about my life and some of the things I am worried about.
Flick really looked after me. As it was a cold day she took us straight through to one of the tea rooms for a chat. I told Flick I really, really want to get more paid work. I’m at college now, doing Steps into Work, but I have only got some agency work, no guaranteed hours. It’s very hard to find paid work and to get good support to do this. We talked about how the Work Programme and big companies haven’t worked for people like me – smaller, local organisations can do this better.
Flick gave us a report of a debate which had happened in the House of Commons the day before. She seemed very interested in helping people get work and talked about how Remploy had closed. She said she is going to organise a jobs fair in Portsmouth.
I’ve had a lot of time in the care system and I told Flick that it’s horrible for people who have to move out when they reach 18. Flick said the government is changing this so that people won’t have to move until they are 21, then this will be increased to when they are 24. I think this will be much better.
I want to move into a flat soon. I told Flick I am worried about my benefits being cut as I need to have enough to pay all the bills. She said there are no plans to cut my benefits which are linked to inflation.*
I asked Flick if she could help me get a passport – I’ve been trying for 11 years to get one. She immediately said yes, to bring some paperwork to her Portsmouth office. I am excited that I will be able to go abroad for the first time.
Flick then took us out on to the terrace by the Thames, where we took a picture, then into the House of Commons, where we got to see a debate. Flick explained some of the history of the Palace of Westminster and I stood where Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth have given speeches.
It was good to meet Flick. I felt she listened to me. I will invite her to meet me where I currently live and will go and see her to get my passport sorted out. But I am really not sure if the government will listen.
*On the way home I looked at how the Work Bill might affect me if I found paid work but then had to claim ESA if it didn’t work out – I would be £30 a week worse off. This makes it difficult when thinking about work and how I will pay bills.
