Commonplaces

SINCE all the efforts to halt and reduce unemployment have so far signally failed, I would not have been surprised to find a group calling itself Church Action with the Unemployed recommending prayer. But, in fact the kind of help on offer is of a more practical kind, consisting of a series of attractively produced leaflets which ‘contain the most comprehensive description yet published by any organisation about the range of initiatives possible at local level’. Although written from a ‘church angle’, the leaflets also have a universal practical application. Titles include Coping with unemployment, Creating new jobs, Mutual help groups and resource centres, Opportunities for young people, and a list of Contact persons at local level. These contact persons, mostly industrial chaplains, have several years' experience of working with unemployment initiatives and are available for advice, giving talks, etc. CAWTU has also published a book called Action on unemployment: 100 projects with unemployed people which offers essential practical information on working with the Manpower Services Commission, establishing a centre, working with volunteers, fund raising and promoting small business co‐operatives. It incorporates comments and advice from those actually involved in projects. CAWTU is an interdenominational organisation whose objective is to educate church congregations, voluntary organisations and unemployed people about actions which can be undertaken at local level. Copies of the leaflets are free and the book is available at £2.95 (less 10% for libraries) from CAWTU, 146 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4BY. They suggest that the leaflets are displayed ‘in your Local Reference rather than “Religious” section’!