Jobless: Life Unemployed (Poverty Documentary) | Real Stories

As the unemployment statistics once more start to head up, BAFTA winning film-maker Brian Woods takes us behind the numbers to the people they represent.

Filmed throughout 2009, and seen in part through the eyes of the children, Jobless tells the interwoven stories of several families, across the length and breadth of Britain as both husbands and wives cope with losing their jobs, in most cases for the first time in their lives.

From Jobless: Life Unemployed

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[Evelynlouise]

That little girl tho. ‘If my dad needs some money I’ve got a lot so I give him some’ opens piggy bank. Bless her pure little heart. ❤️

[haddingtoniangcp]

"It doesn't strike home till it happens to you" he is spot on.

[ZenTradeGame]

One of the worst feelings, is being without a job, while having kids, wife, and you’ve applied for work everyday. But things eventually worked out for me! Stay strong out there.

[robingift]

Why would a company call someone in for an interview only to tell them they are over qualified? It makes no sense at all.

[asifmahmood]

Remember nothing is permanent in this world even your health, age and life.

[theresa]

It would be scary be an older parent with young children and losing your job. Age discrimination is very real.

[foxylady]

It doesn't necessarily take you losing a job to land up in these peoples situation, I was working and suffered a stroke at 49yrs which has left me disabled and forever on benefits, my world came crashing down overnight and being a single parent and left to struggle on a much smaller amount of money was very stressful, you just never know what's around the next corner, losing your income can happen to anyone anytime.

[stacey]

The little girl Leah is precious She has a good attitude she talks about the good things she does have and wants to give her change to her parents to help What a sweet little girl very intelligent

[islandgurl]

Losing a job is scary..hard..stressful and disappointing. Praying for everyone to make it through this hardship. Life is just hard.

[josephgreen]

The kids of these people were brilliant. Congratulations to all the parents for bringing up such good caring kids and well done for staying together through tough times and not giving up
Shows how important the family unit is to everyone in the family.

[catieq]

That little girl, Leah is so sweet to offer her dad her money. Tugged at my heart strings😭❤️

[ofwands]

Some of the people posting comments on this program are unbelievable. Everything is a competition: "I've been poorer than they are." "I work harder than they do." "I'm prettier and younger- looking than the English!" "America is a worse country than the UK."
I don't know why anyone would watch a film on this particular subject with no empathy and so much judgement. All I can say is - "there but for the grace of God go you or I...." Let's hope you night-crawlers don't encounter misfortune in your lives. Then you get to hear all the judgmental jerks telling you what to do, how easy it is, and what you did wrong.

[lamjay]

Don’t complain so much in front of the children. Making them worried wouldn’t help.

[eunicestone]

I'm an American. Married and raised 3 children. Tough times came. Jobs came and went. If my husband wasn't working I certainly was. I worked many a menial job. He was a skilled laborer. Welder. When work was there it was plentiful. Feast or famine. But we survived. Now divorced. Happy. Free. Living on disability and food stamps. Doing the best I can. All by myself. My children have gone their own way. Husband remarried raising granddaughter. But I'm still here. Thriving and surviving. I will never give up. Even in a pandemic and death of roommate. I've sold all I can. And rented the spare room. She can't pay right now but she does all the cleaning. I can live with that. At least I'm not alone. That's good as i am I'll. All will work out.

[kade]

That little girl taking money out of her piggy bank to help her dad....melted my heart.

[ayesha-jaee]

I pray for Gary’s little girl. She’s gonna grow to be such a good hearted person. Her positivity and perspective is so warming to see in a child 😩🧡

[JavierHernandez-cxpw]

Damn, I've been without a job as a single guy and it feels awful. I can't imagine what it's like to be in that situation AND having children and a partner that depend on you.

[mssstringi]

This breaks my heart. Genuine people wanting to work but they not even able to get any benefits while they are looking for a job, while there are so many families with 10+ children claiming benefits and have zero intention to ever work because 'it's not worth it'. boils my blood

[larhondah.]

One thing I absolutely respect about these parents is they don't hide their finances, disappointment, and hard work from their children. They are rooting for their parents and have their backs. Bless their hearts 💕💞♥

[triple_gem_shining]

these poverty documentaries make me thankful for what I have and inspire me to continue to work harder than most.