One-job-a-week man battling to pay his way

Jobseeker Matt Frost is donating his wages at the end of every week to the Prince’s Trust.

His five-day placements have included stints as a stuntman, a photographer’s assistant and a cattle farmer.

The jobs have taken him across southern England, throughout his home county of Cornwall and as far as London – with temporary employment also offered later this year in Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland.

Despite having to dip into his bank overdraft and cut back on Mothering Sunday gifts, the 29-year-old said he is more determined than ever.

“It’s tough living on virtually no disposable income, so you can certainly say I’m giving my overdraft a run for its money,” he said. “But I knew this was going to be tricky when I started, so it has not come as a shock.

“I’m trying to cut back personal costs as much as possible, so I am accepting lifts from people and crashing on sofas if I am working away from home.

“There’s a group of mates I haven’t seen since this has started and I’m afraid mum got something a little cheap for Mother’s Day. I’ve written my fair share of IOUs too, but that’s all part of the challenge for me and I am loving it.”

The former retail manager found himself at a crossroads last year after a serious injury at work in London.

He is hoping the variety offered by his “job hop” fund-raiser will also give him a greater insight into a future vocation – be it creative, physical or clerical.

Placements have varied from hard labour to mentally exhausting employment.

Mr Frost, from Liskeard, has also had to spend his free time setting up future placements, travel and living arrangements.

He said: “This week I have been working with children with special needs in Plymouth, which has been incredible too, for different reasons.

“And my time at the Prince’s Trust was completely eye-opening - I have been able to see where the money I have raised is going, and seeing the real-life accounts of people who are genuinely struggling to get by.”

Anyone interested in offering him work can contact [email protected] or visit http://www.oneweekjob.com/uk.