Work Programme and Anxiety

donnajunkie

anjose wrote: »

But I would hate to be forced into a job that I know I wouldn't like and be back on the dole queue 6 months later!

they can force you to apply but they cant force the employer to offer you a job. you can easily sabotage your chances in a subtle way to avoid being offered a job if it is something you really hate.

donnajunkie

KiKi wrote: »

Assume it will be brilliant, and assume that anything you hear is intended to help you, and you may one of the many people who never post on an internet forum that it's bad!!

i would say be open minded and prepared for anything good or bad. whatever it turns out to be like learn to deal with it good or bad.

Elvisia

Although the WP doesn't seem to be very efficient at actually getting people into jobs I do think it could be helpful for you, as you would have some social situations where you can practise your coping skills. If you feel comfortable with your advisor mention it to them, they're not all idiots or downright evil.

I know how you feel because when I get anxiety I just feel I can't function, I was in the supermarket the other day and I just couldn't cope with all the shelves of food, but even when I was at the check out I relaxed and kept going, and kept thinking "right, feel the anxiety, what is the worse thing that can happen". I wasn't actually going to die, or faint, or make an idiot of myself. Eventually my body decided it couldn't actually make me any more anxious and it lifted. I was exhausted but pleased I hadn't done my usual thing of running off when I felt too bad. I did a CBT course through my local GP and we had 2 hours a week of group meetings, I couldn't believe that everyone was there for anxiety as many were businessmen or people who were very sociable and chatty. The thing I took away from it was that anxiety hits a very large number of people, and we're not alone by any means. Some of the very chatty people said they were very chatty in order to cope when they felt highly anxious. I can't talk at all when I am stressed.

I think it is unlikely the WP will push you up against the wall and demand you work in Poundstretcher for free. If they do send you off on courses or some work experience these are all things to help with your anxiety as they'll provide you with practise. In fact actually now I remember it - I only found out about the CBT course as I was given a course about suffering from depression while signing on, it was one of a trillion leaflets I was given, and it was the most useful one. You could even ask the advisor if they can offer anything to help with anxiety as this is the thing stopping you from getting into work.

Just little things like getting there, waiting in the office and having a meeting in a meeting room will provide you with little challenges that all build towards a more confident you.

Elvisia

Oh and if you should get a job to apply for or an interview to attend I found the words "The Job Centre sent me here" pretty much sounded the death knell before we'd even got started! I'm now off JSA having found my own freelance work and very happy.

bazza5070

marybelle01 wrote: »

Why is it unlikely the OP won't be put in the support group. Their condition is stable. They have completed counselling, and they are off medications. They have managed to be available for work throughout the time they were in treatment, so why would they not be now?

In my experience the vast majority of claimants with 'depression' or 'anxiety' will be put into the WRAG (Work related activity group) rather than the support group which is for people deemed not to have any immediate chance of being able to work. Usually people with severe disability or certain learning difficulties.

anjose

This is more or less an update on what's happened.

I attended the induction at Triage. I say induction, it was more sit down and wait until you are called. As I waited, I got to spoke to people who have been on other courses - these people were also waiting for the induction at the same time as me. So first impression, was they wanted us all in an out ASAP.

We were called when our time was due - there was about 10 of us waiting. We sat round a table, got the "welcome to Triage" and they explained the process. In all honesty, I was too nervous to take what was said in!

After that, we were stepped through some form filling. I did whatever they asked, not wishing to cause friction of sort of friction. The form filling took about 30 minutes.

After that, they did a quick 1-2-1. That consisted of being taken to sit down at another part of the room and checking the forms and being told to take my C.V. on my next appointment - due in roughly two weeks. After that, I was free to leave.

So my overall first impression? I have to say, I am much more relieved that I attended. The staff weren't obnoxious and barking at all. It was a quiet environment, some quiet talking and the odd subtle banter between staff.

Perhaps the longer I am on the course, the more they will tighten the screw. But I didn't witness scenes of rage from clients being forced/told to do something against their wishes. It was almost as if the clients (like myself) were doing what was asked of them - sort of a "you hum it, we sing it" attitude!

I really can't thank people enough in this thread. I will try to keep this thread posted, more to help other people and to get advice for myself.

defragms

I too suffer from anxiety disorders which have caused terrible problems in the past. Luckily it's under management now. I also attended the Work Programme as delivered by Ingeus/Triage. Unlike you though, I'm an ESA (wrag) claimant. I was on it 4 and a half months before my status was changed and I was given the chance to leave it. I left it because it was of no help whatsoever. I do hope that you have a better experience. If on ESA you are mandated onto the WP according to the prognosis given at your ATOS assessment. For example, I have a 2 year prognosis so am not mandated to attend. When I had a 6 month prognosis, I was mandated to attend 3 months before the end of that period but not before.

The rules for ESA participants of the WP are different to those claiming JSA. If the anxiety is as bad as you say, remaining a JSA claimant won't make things better as it can be a pressurised environment. ESA is set up for those who experience significant health barriers. On ESA they cannot make you apply for a job or force you to undertake "Mandatory Work Experience". On JSA they can. The sanction regime is also different. Hopefully you won't have to deal with that but it's important to know your rights.

I would add that filling in the forms and signing them etc. isn't always mandatory so check whether you have the option or not. The less supplementary information you give them, and withdrawing consent for them to arbitrarily contact people using that information, can stop them forcing you into unsuitable work or onto unsuitable courses. This applies both to JSA and ESA claimants.

I would also make sure you are fully aware of the complaint's procedure. If you feel they're not doing things right (as their contract stipulates) then you have the right to complain, although obviously anxiety can make that difficult. But by complaining it may help solve the problem or make them rethink things. I am in the middle of complaining about the bad service Triage delivered. Without complaints these providers will not improve the service they deliver.

Hope this is helpful. As many have said, each provider will be different and each office contain any number of good/bad people. All you can do is go along and see. Anxiety is a terrible problem and being mandated to attend such schemes as the WP doesn't help.

anjose

Firstly, many thanks for your supportive post, defragms!

A bit of a brief gap filler - been regularly attending to do my job search. My three month review came up towards the end of last year, and after that I feel more pressure has been applied.

When I say pressure, this is what I mean. They have asked me to attend group sessions - something that triggers my anxiety, but I believe in trying to overcome that so I shall therefore try to attend them. I suspect weekly interviews are about to start, as they want me to attend in between my normal assisted job search.

I'm not really sure what assisted job search is? For now it seems to be sitting down and talking to somebody typing at a computer, asking what I've done etc. Apparently the group sessions will allow us to bounce off each other. But with my anxiety, I would much prefer 1-2-1. I shall discuss this option in the following interview next week.

Anxiety wise, I do feel the course has worsened me. But maybe I need to overcome this by continuing to attend group sessions.

I have spoken to a very close friend, about how I feel more nervous going out than I did before. I would much rather leave the details to a counsellor - and this is why I am seriously considering referring myself back for counselling.

I may speak to my doctor for their opinion. Would this go in my favour if I had to claim ESA? I desperately want to avoid claiming ESA, but shall if I feel that needs must. I will definitely claim ESA if I refer myself back to counselling, minimising the impact any pressure Triage puts on me.

I really do appreciate your helpful posts. Posting on here is not easy, as my anxiety sometimes gets the better of me. But the more helpful and informative I see how people are, the more at ease I feel.

defragms

I'm sorry to hear your anxiety has worsened and that the pressure is increasing, but I'm not surprised. The WP does not have medically competent people running it so even if they were aware of your health problems it's doubtful they'd treat you in a supportive way.

Seeing your doctor will help in any application for ESA as ATOS will do an assessment and ask for them to comment. They may also ask your counsellor (with your consent).

I had a break last year while I tried Work Choice which wasn't helpful at all. As I left that I now have to go back to the WP and imagine I will begin to go through the processes you've described.

Please remember, applying for ESA isn't giving up. On ESA you will still look for work etc. but will have more choice and your illness will be taken into account much more. However, you know what is best for you.

Good luck and I hope the group sessions work out. Please let me know as I'd be interested to hear how you get on.

anjose

More of a progress report really.

My first group session consisted of sitting in the same part of the room that the induction was held in. About 10 people were there, and the advisor seemed positive but wanted to see people make progress. By that I mean the advisor asked people what they had applied for, if anything. If you said nothing, the advisor said something along the lines of "I'm surprised" or "I'm shocked" - making you feel as though you haven't tried. Later they asked what we were all applying for and they had a list of jobs for us to try and apply for while we were there.

So in a way the groups aren't so focused on you as 1-2-1s are. But they do sort of put the spotlight on you more if you haven't found anything. I can see good and bad sides to either way of attending. Personally I feel the groups will be more relaxed and perhaps more beneficial in helping look for work. As long as they don’t try publically humiliate you for not applying for anything.