I've written this book because my story of unemployment is not the stereotypical one that is negatively portrayed all over the TV screens and newspapers. My working life got off to a bad start even before leaving school. Instead of doing a day of work shadowing, I ended up playing video games, and a two week placement was spent on holiday in Hawaii Despite the teacher in charge saying he'll find me somewhere to go later, nothing happened. Each chapter finishes with me giving my opinion on the experience, what I would change and any policy advice to help others. Leaving school in 1995 aged 16 with straight F GCSE results, I gained some qualifications including Using IT and Business Administration Level 2 at different training places. Following this I went on a national volunteer course with a charity that lasted three months. This incident packed period saw me help with a community project at a school and volunteer with a football in the community group. There are many tales shared about my time here with my co-workers, their personalities including disagreements. Yet despite all the issues, they still voted me best volunteer on the course In 2000 I was successful in studying at a top college in Oxford, arriving with 250 in my pocket and no job prospects. The first term proved extremely challenging; homesickness hit hard and my money dwindled to very low levels. Also the career development fund I applied for short-changed me by 2000 Yet from then on I performed superbly and left with another qualification. During the second term I gained employment at a wine store and discovered a side of Oxford top officials and the media never talk about... These include the homelessness problems and the drunks who frequented the city. I tell tales of my encounters with these individuals plus the occasion I witnessed a man going through a neighbour's garbage and wearing bread bags on his feet so he could get locked up again I finish the chapter giving tips for potential students on how to survive studying away from home and things to consider when going to a new environment. I worked at different places in roles ranging from community development work and a bar person until leaving a job in 2003. It would be 2010 before paid employment is gained once more. In that seven year gap a cycle of unemployment and job clubs developed which couldn't be broken. I gained extra qualifications including Level 1 in Football Coaching, Level 2 National Certificate for Door Supervisors and ECDL Essentials and Extra. I did voluntary work to gain much needed experience, but this never changed a thing. At one voluntary place, my performance was good and duties included football coaching adults with mental health issues. We went on ground tours including Old Trafford, Manchester and Anfield, Liverpool. This period ended in controversy at the Beckham Academy in London. While celebrating after I didn't know half the team were recovering alcoholics Recruitment agencies proved frustrating while exposing flaws in their approach and government policy at one point actually stopped me getting work. After completing the Door Supervisor course and being re-referred back to the job club for employment opportunities, the job centre advisor told me I had to wait six months before doing so. I finish by reacting to stories published in the press, making observations no one else has picked up on, including the unemployment lifestyle and recommend changes to government policy to help anyone on Jobseeker's Allowance now or in the future to gain employment."