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A Hull job seeker is angry after being told to apply for cleaning jobs instead of volunteering to get experience in the work she actually wants to do.

Sarah Duffin, 34, left school with no qualifications and has been on the dole ever since. But she is desperate to find work and give back to society by getting employment in the catering sector.

She says her ambitions are being hampered by being forced to attend employability sessions when she could be volunteering in a kitchen to gain experience in her chosen dream job.

Instead of allowing Sarah to start a position at St Margaret's Welcome Centre in Longhill as a kitchen assistant volunteer, she says Standguide, a recruitment and training company commissioned by the Department of Work and Pensions, is instead telling her to apply for cleaning jobs.

If she does not comply with attending the sessions and applying for the jobs, her benefits will be sanctioned.

(Image: Hull Live)

"I'm really angry about the whole situation that I'm in as I have set up volunteering as a catering assistant but the Jobcentre and Standguide won't take me off their books to go out and do it," said Miss Duffin.

"That means that I'm having to go to appointments with them to apply for jobs instead of going out to volunteer with the aim of getting into catering, and without attending the appointments, I'll get sanctioned.

"I'm getting so much anxiety with the threats of a sanction and just feel worthless with it and like I don't want to be here anymore.

"It feels so awkward having been out of work all my life and I feel like I get looked down on and treated like s*** because I don't have a job, even though I'm really trying.

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"I've been made to feel like a skivvy and worth nothing and told just to apply for cleaning jobs as though that's all I'm worth, even though I have catering skills.

"I'm p***ed off, really low, have been left with no self esteem and I feel suicidal with it all.

"I'm looking for work every day and just this week I've applied for 58 jobs in three days so I really am trying. I am having to spend my benefit money on bus fares for every trip to the library to go and apply for work and don't get a penny of it back.

"I want to get a job and pay taxes but the system is stopping me".

(Image: Hull Live)

Miss Duffin gets £146 every two weeks on benefits and previously told Hull Live she had been left unable to get help to get a job because of her age.

She said when she was younger she went on courses to try and gain skills but has recently been unable to get onto any courses to boost her job prospects.

Despite applying for hundreds of jobs, Miss Duffin has been left with many unanswered applications, or has been turned down after going for interviews.

To try and find work, Miss Duffin has put herself forward for education courses at various institutions but, as these are mainly aimed at 16 to 24-year-olds, has been unable to gain a place.

The situation at home is also tough for Miss Duffin, who has never been able to get her own place and independence due to her finances. She currently lives with her 63-year-old mother who cares for her 34-year-old brother, who is disabled and has cancer.

What the Department for Work and Pensions say

The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed Miss Duffin will no longer have to work with Standguide and can attend her volunteering placement as a catering assistant as planned.

They are also investigating Miss Duffin's experience with Standguide.

A spokeswoman for the organisation said: “Sarah has met with her work coach to discuss her situation, and it’s been agreed that she can continue with her voluntary work as a catering assistant.

“We are concerned by Sarah’s experience with Standguide and are looking into it.”