New Community Marshall team at Finsbury Park station

I would like to add my comment regarding the warden programme which is being run by the Finsbury Park Business Forum. This is by far one of the best scheme that I have come across. They should make it active in other area of London. Travelling via Finsbury Park with the wardens there give me hope!

I feel much safer with them being there.
I am so pleased with them, that I will donate £100 to help them, not a lot I know but every little help.

I wish them well and hope that someone with a large pocket help them to expand this wonderful programme to other area.

All the very best.
Amanda Jackson

Questions still not answered:

1) Why is the scheme advertised as voluntary work, when it is not?
2) Refusing to do 4 weeks full time as a Warden/Marshal results in a sanction and loss of benefits for up to 26 weeks.
3) Why do some people only do the scheme for 4 weeks, yet others for much longer?

If someone could and should be paid to do the Warden role, why is no one paid to do it? Why do those doing the role only get £5 per week for travel costs?

As 800 Transport for London customer care staff got made redundant recently, is this is any way connected to this scheme?

I have been one of the Wardens around Finsbury Park Station and no the wardens is not trying to take paid people post. At the start of the programme the scheme was called "Business and community Marshal". It is now called "Business and community Warden" I am happy to confirm that I was on the programme and was not sure if I was going to like it or not. After my first two weeks on the programme I just loved it. You learn so much being on the programme and meet new people every day. We worked side by side with the workers around Finsbury Park and side by side with the police. Ask anyone that is working as a warden and they will tell you almost the same. I did it not because I had to but because I wanted to.
I do not like people telling us unemployed what is good for us.
The warden programme is not for everyone, but the people that are on it love it.

If you are ever around the station ask the likes of Ian, Martin,Oz, Ricardo and others if they like doing the programme and they will tell you that they love it.
I will be applying to join the programme again via Jobcentre Plus.

Those who want to say bad things about the programme without being on it should find out more about it first.
My only concern is that this programme should be funded by Government because it is such a good idea and without stronge funding programme like this may come to an end. I hope that the warden scheme is rolled out across London. I would like to thank the Finsbury Park Business Forum for accepting me on this programme.

Regards
Fredy

The Marshals Scheming sets worrying precedent: It is advertised as voluntary work, giving 'volunteers' just £5 per week for travel costs and some suggestion an afternoon meal will be provided.

Now of course it cannot be voluntary work because those that are 'Marshals' do so on a Mandatory No Choice Non Voluntary Basis, once they start as a Marshal, if they do do not do it for 4 weeks full time they can lose benefits for up to 6 months. Calling such voluntary work, sounds exactly like the Community Payback scheme for offenders as a form of punishment.

These Marshals are also offered to Businesses for free, does this mean they are replacing PAID staff who would normally be providing like for like services?

And lets not forget 800 Transport for London customer service staff recently got made redundant.

http://tinyurl.com/3zkvlt3

Thanks for your - rather lengthy! - comment. The release I initially received identified the two organisations - I've updated the link now.