Wages in the South West

OK; so I'm not sure whether this is going to be a 'rant' or a 'moan' or just a general whinge???

OK - it's probably going to be a 'rant'???

Wages in the South West are one of the lowest in the country.  House prices in the SW are one of the highest in the country.

Most people who work in the SW do so in the tourism industry and get paid the minimum wage.

Although, over the last few years, the tourism season has expanded, so the seasonal workers have more work, and therefore get more pay; they still have absolutely no chance of getting onto the property ladder.

Think I might have to have a rant about SW people buying their homes at a later date.

Anyway, what has inspired me to write this blip is this:

One of the young boys who I work with, turned 17 the other week.  He's just gone off to college to do some sort of an art course.   He's dyslexic (so his academic qualifications weren't that good) but because his art work was so good he was allowed on the course (with the proviso that he was monitored).  The pictures of his art work, that he posts on Facebook, are absolutely fantastic.

However, this young boy, who is a fantastic artist, is not getting anywhere near as much support as he would if he lived 'upcountry'???  Wages are ridiculously low in the SW, so even though his father is self employed (& his mother is working every hour under the sun), they've still got a mortgage to pay, & still have other kids to support.

He turned 17 years old the other week and for his birthday his parents bought him some 'brushes' which cost £40.  He was ecstatic about this.  Painting is his passion.

I'm 54 years old and yet when I came into work, that was the first thing that he told me.  'My mum & dad bought me £40 worth of brushes for my birthday'?

I'm not a millionaire, but I'd actually just love to give him £100.  He is just soooo talented and I know he'll go far as an artist.

Obviously I cannot just give him £100.

That would totally undermine what his parents are trying to do for him.

It just makes me so mad though.......................

I have 2 nephews and a niece, all of which, have absolutely no idea 'how the other half live'.

I love my nephews & niece to bits but I have no idea if any of them have any talents or passions that they are likely to pursue.

And what makes me really mad; is this poor kid (who is exceptionally talented) is really having to fund all of his dream himself.  He's worked 6 days a week throughout the summer holidays and now he's working all day Sat & 3 hours on a Sun.

..............And I know if any of my nephews or niece wanted to do a college course, my sister and her husband, would just buy them all the equipment they needed before they went.  The kids would just expect them to do it, and the parents would just assume that was what they had to do.

Life for children is not fair and it never, ever will be.

On my niece's Christmas list is a laptop & guitar???  ...................And she'll probably get them!!!

OK so this rant seems to have changed into a rant about what children expect.

My little 17 year old colleague will go far.  He's got a passion, an ambition, a focus, and a determination to achieve his dream.  He may not have money, but he's working towards what he wants, and because 'mummy & daddy' aren't funding it, I'm sure he'll go far.

Good luck my lovely little colleague. xx