Got 1st Fit Note, want to stop volunteering....

A_Z1961

Hello Everyone, I got my 1st Fit Note on 18th Feb for "Joint Pain", not fit for work. Also had a bunch of blood tests yesterday and got a hand x-ray next week to rule out rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. I've had CFS off and on since 1999 and chronic pain but it increased again since May 2024. Doctor says it could be fibromyalgia.

Fit Note for one month then I hope to get UC50 form with a view to WCA after 3 months worth of Fit Notes (doctor cooperating).

My query is, I was volunteering 8 hours per week but stopped beginning of Jan as it was too much. They agreed to keep me on their books till April as I was struggling. However my work coaches still think I am still volunteering (they've pushed me to continue and get a paid job (it's not that sort of charity). And "it's good for my mental health" which it isn't if I feel ill and under stress to continue for UC sake.

My work coach did say if I can volunteer I can work so no excuses. I was only volunteering hoping it would get them off my back but it hasn't. It's push push push.

Now I have a Fit Note (hopefully I'll get 3 to instigate a WCA) so I'm thinking I should officially stop volunteering. (I already have but they think I'm still doing it).

I know I'm under no obligation to volunteer but UC have it in my commitments that I'll volunteer 8 hpw with a view to increasing my customer service skills (I have 48 years of customer service and management but apparently I need more, get an up-to-date reference and "it's good for my mental health"). I'll be 64 in August. How do I tell them I've quit volunteering if it's in my commitments. I've not been in this position before in regards to UC, ongoing, long-term ill health but still job searching and volunteering.

If I continue, I can work according to them so really I have to stop. I have my usual work review appointment on Monday (every 10-14 days) and I know she's going to push me, she always does so I need to know how best to handle it. I know they can over ride a fit note if they are of a mind too.

Bottom line, I don't want to volunteer anymore. I want to go down the health journey route. What happens if doctor doesn't continue with fit notes (my health won't improve) and they expect me to volunteer and job search. That in itself makes me worse.

A_Z1961

Just a wee update. Spoke to my sister this morning, She has experience in disability, pip etc.

She said that when work coach turned off work commitments a few days before doctor appointment on 18th Feb that should have included my voluntary work as I'm not well enough to do that. I know if you can volunteer even a few hours a week they say you can work.

Now that I have my first fit note I will tell work coach on Monday (my next work review appointment) that I have given up voluntary work. Hopefully it won't be an issue.

luvpink

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/987512#Comment_987512

It sounds like the work coach is a bully

I would report her/him and request a different one.

You are the only person who knows your own capabilities and how your health conditions affect you and it is not for anyone to bully or intimidate you to suit their own agenda.

A_Z1961

@luvpink Thanks for your response. I decided yesterday that the best thing for me to do was to write/type out how I've been this past year health-wise which started in 1999/2000 though I didn't go back that far. I also explained how volunteering affected my health. I then cut and pasted typed document into my journal for work coach. It worked! During my video call this morning she thanked me for my in-depth and comprehensive message as it helps them to understand better. Although all info and health issues are in my journal they don't tend to understand the full picture. So I gave her a good foundation to understand me from . The call went better than expected and she understood my stepping away from my volunteer job. She did ask what I wanted to do work wise once I've gone through all my tests etc so I told her I couldn't answer that as I need to get through this stage first. She is aware I plan to go through the wca process, fit notes/doctors cooperation permitting. She understood and is happy to leave me while I deal with this over the next month. My next appointment with work coach is March 25th and my commitments are turned off. Thankfully she knows I am not at my volunteer job at this stage and I have a bit of breathing space Universal Credit

Rosie_Scope

Hi @A_Z1961, It's good to hear your coach is being more understanding after your message. Hope you can relax and get some rest for a little while 😊

A_Z1961

Hi @Rosie_Scope, yes it is a welcome breathing space. My bloods came back yesterday and my B12 is very low so I have to have loading and regular injections for two weeks, then every 3 months. Also have to do a fasting glucose test. Of course I am hoping this helps but I'm also a bit concerned that if there is some improvement it will hinder my process of getting a wca and I'll be back to full time job searching which I can't bear. I have a hand x-ray on Thursday basically to rule out osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. I have finally after months got work coach/universal credit understanding my situation but not sure if getting these B12 injections will be a good thing or not. I'm also concerned as my system is ultra sensitive to substances, medications etc. I'm worried what effect it will have on me. I guess I'll find out come 3rd March .

Rosie_Scope

It sounds like a confusing time @A_Z1961, but fingers crossed everything works out okay for you and best of luck with your upcoming X-rays, tests and injections.

A_Z1961

Thanks @Rosie_Scope ,let's just see how it all pans out. 😊