4th February 2012, 07:00 PM
My first thought is, what counts as a placement? It might be easier to convince your University that the paid work available is relevant experience than find any institutions with the money to help you out. There are a few companies hiring at the moment (there probably always have been one or two, but not advertising), one of which might have something vaguely boiarchaeology-y or who might take you on at a training wage if you can't convince them to give you a proper job.
Also, have you checked what benefits you might be eligible for and under what circumstances? Not JSA, presumably (although I think you can still do 2 days/week volunteering and get that as long as you are available to work if it comes along). There's a handful of other benefits you might be able to get though. Of course, no-one wants to be on the dole, but half the world seems to be on in-work benefits these days, as a concequence of the minimum wage being so much lower than the breadline.
Also, have you checked what benefits you might be eligible for and under what circumstances? Not JSA, presumably (although I think you can still do 2 days/week volunteering and get that as long as you are available to work if it comes along). There's a handful of other benefits you might be able to get though. Of course, no-one wants to be on the dole, but half the world seems to be on in-work benefits these days, as a concequence of the minimum wage being so much lower than the breadline.