In the Dole-Drums

📄 One man. One week. One soul-crushing course.

Dean's already on the ropes. With a girlfriend, two kids, and barely enough money to scrape by, he's just trying to keep his head above water. But now the Jobcentre wants him on a "back to work" course—or he loses his dole. CV writing, mock interviews, motivational mantras… all in the name of getting the unemployed back into gear.

But is it help—or humiliation?
And will Dean make it through the week with his dignity intact?

In the Dole-Drums is a raw and honest 4,300-word short story that dives deep into Britain's welfare system, the struggles of the working class, and the quiet rebellion against bureaucracy and hopelessness.

Perfect for fans of social realism, working-class fiction, and gritty contemporary drama with heart and humour.