ADINJC

We’re hoping that you are all OK and coping with the new restrictions, and are off the road.  We’ve asked the DVSA about the situation for training and testing of key workers, but unfortunately haven’t had a reply.  As soon as we do we will of course pass that information on.  However, an ADI local to me in Plymouth managed to get through to the Registrar’s office and was told that in the first 6 hours of the emails for key worker tests going live there were over 10,000 emails received, with only 15-20 people to work on them.  So I would guess anyone who has put in an enquiry may have to wait some time to get a response.

The email for key worker theory tests is [email protected] and for driving tests it’s [email protected].  There is now further information on what evidence someone would have to provide so they can made a decision on whether they qualify for a test – click this link.

Sadly still not the news we were hoping for but you might like to watch this short video from Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis – click this link

Announcing our new NJC Talk Line

We realise that this is such a difficult time for everyone in all sorts of ways.  And over the last few days have become increasingly aware of the struggles that people are facing, and the strains they are experiencing.  Therefore, to try and help, we are going to set up a Talk Line, which will run from tomorrow for the duration of the Coronavirus national emergency.

This will be manned by members of our Governing Committee and some of our other contacts who have volunteered because they want to help.  They will be available on the end of a phone from 8.30 each morning to 10pm at night 7 days a week, starting tomorrow.  All of them are ADIs, or have been, and they are all caring, helpful people.  Some of them are also life coaches, some mental health first aiders and former Samaritan workers.

We are very concerned that sometimes people’s mental health gets forgotten about in all the chaos and worry of uncertainty about work and finance, so we hope this might be helpful for anyone that finds themselves falling prey to this terrible situation.  There may be ADIs who live alone and are now starting to feel very isolated.  This is not just a service for our members, in these difficult times we want to try and help any ADI that needs it.

Please feel free to contact any of the following people.  They are ready and willing to  listen and help wherever they can.  They can offer an ear without judgment.  Whether you just want to chat or if you want information.  If you have queries that they can’t immediately answer, they will take your details and come back to you with the information as soon as we possibly can.  If you don’t want to give your name, that’s fine and your call will be treated in strictest confidence unless you give us permission to share with colleagues.

Please take advantage of this service if you are feeling in need of help.  We are here for you.  The list is in no particular order, and if one isn’t answered please try another.

Tony            07900 571 774
Christine     01502 713141
Andrew       07812 537 562
Jilly             07765 362 384 (not available 8-10am)
Neil             07878 168 914
Parv            07712 620 069
George       07415 651 974
Peter           07918 108 577
Bryan          07976 293 721
Tina            07870 439 764 (evenings only)
Debbie       07904 411 747 (not available Tues, Thurs, Sun 3-7pm)

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And a letter from member Peter Scott from the Leeds group –

You Will Be OK

I’m writing to you today personally as your friend and as a colleague. Like you, I am an ADI and I depend on my job for my livelihood, my prosperity and my wellbeing. Like you, I imagine, I do this for my family and because I believe it is a worthy occupation to have. So, I know that today you will be asking yourself how can I continue to do this? Individually and collectively I believe that we all do a great job and I want to assure you today that, whatever happens going forward from today, you will be ok.

Yesterday Our Prime Minister said that we now have to stay at home and stop working. That’s everyone, and not just ADI’s, with very few exceptions. He said this is for the good of our country, so we all must do this. The government has insisted that we all do this for our own safety, health and our wellbeing. I know how tough that sounds right now, and naturally we will be asking how will I make ends meet? I share that emotion and those thoughts, but I want to assure you that you will be ok.

Upon hearing the news my first personal thoughts were immediately that if I don’t have an income, then how can I pay my bills? There has been a lot of discussion recently about that, and for self-employed people and free-lancers, there has been no solution so how will they survive? We know that the government put in place special measures to support the incomes of salaried (PAYE) workers, but not ourselves, so I can hear you asking how can I survive, and I promise you that you will be ok.

At the time of writing this I can tell you that the government are putting in place special measures to provide you, me and all the self-employed people and free-lancers the support package that we now need to provide us with an income on a short-term basis almost identical to that which has been provided to salaried (PAYE) workers so you may well ask where, when and how much money will I be able to receive and will it be enough and I think that it will and you will be ok. At this moment I can understand how emotional you will be feeling about your situation, I am with you and I feel the same. You may also be wanting to speak to someone just to share your feelings or at least feel reassured there is someone there. How can you reach out? I will be holding a 30 minute Zoom call every day at 4:30pm for the foreseeable future using the following link or ID: 644-871-452. Please join me for a chat, you will be ok.

Keep well, stay safe and you will be ok.

Peter
Peter Scott (ADI) 24th March 2020