Hi Maria,

thank you for your Big Question.

I had a work coach who would send me appointments to attend during my work hours. I would reply with my availability and still get times and dates to attend when I am at work.

I also get text messages saying respond by today or you will face sanctions.

This was adding unnecessary pressure that would cause me mental stress.

My last appointment a few months ago, he told me to go to my employer and ask for more hours..... I was at the time doing over 35 hours, now doing over 40 hours.

I explained about my health and severe symptoms relating to menopause, medication, Therapy appointments and hospital referral by my GP, All of this was completely dismissed and disregarded. He spoke over me and said you need to show evidence that you're looking for more work.

That's my awful experience of having no support. This is the treatment towards someone who worked in a stable job for 30 years and paid all her taxes.

Im afraid I have nothing positive to share with you .

I feel exhausted, working 2 jobs, over 45 hours and still struggling to make ends meet because of living costs. It's a constant grind, no rest or break. It's scary thinking about the impact on health and wellbeing. :(

I love my pleasant surprise from changing realities. I love every item in my parcel. Got me smiling as I had a stressful week that parcel was a good timing.

I am lucky enough that I haven't used work coach to look for job. I heard that work coaches are very professional and not empathetic towards its customer and take decision whatever they think is right without consulting and considering customer's circumstance. In my opinion work coaches needed to be more empathetic towards customer and take consideration of their emotional, financial and social circumstances as everyone is different.

Hi everyone today’s weather is absolutely amazing, but it has been a very difficult week for us as we have not enough money to cater our needs couldn’t even afford to take my son out for some activities and play.

Work coaches are very hit and miss. If you get an understanding, compassionate person as your coach, they might be more lenient and personable. If you have someone who is 'by the book' they can make your life hell, and ask of you too many things which are impossible to fulfil. I think we need a people focused and compassionate basis for which work coaches need to work from, to make the process as easy as possible for vulnerable people.

Got a letter informing me that my Mandatory reconsideration for my PIP renewal has been unsuccessful and they have still awarded me 0 points. Citizens advice will now assist me in going to tribunal, she can't understand how they have come to the decision they have given the evidence I have provided. This means I have to continue on without my PIP payment for months until tribunal. Seeing PIP and disability cuts talked about as if it's a football game in the media is so frustrating! It literally makes work [un]affordable for me. I'm sick of seeing it talked about as an out of work benefit. If M.P's don't even know what it actually is, how can they make an informed vote on it. Makes me want to get myself elected into parliament! I'm sure I'd do a better job of it.

My experiences with work coaches is that they change so regularly that I haven't been given the chance to build up a proper relationship with them, so they've not been able to tailor my work needs to match my circumstances.

I also often feel that they are rushed between appointments, and therefore often don't even have enough time to read your background notes in your work history before seeing you.

I have been threatened with sanctions by them before, and was so worried about the consequences that it would have had on me and my family.

I wish I hadn't had this accident 11 years ago. Life would have been so different had I not thumped my knee against a door frame whilst trying to carry a laundry basket through a small gap in the patio door....had my son not been due to attend a 6th form open evening and about to be driven there, had I not been trying to fill a spare few seconds cos I worked, had 3 children to wash clothes for and was trying to get jobs done at home in the hours between work study family and bed.. What's Liz Kendall even on about? "Scared to try work for fear of being reassessed" ? Least of our worries. If you can't work a job ain't going to cure you...

Just heard Liz Kendall talking rot again... "Compassion dignity and opportunity" she says ? 🤔 Nothing compassionate about punishing the vulnerable and disabled by forcing them into worse poverty. No dignity in scrounging from food banks or charitable organisations. Or telling family you can't afford essentials never mind anything else. Opportunities? Are the government blind? There's no jobs for able bodied people so no way there's jobs for those with ill health and disability.

Try telling me there's jobs out there for disabled people when even my son hasn't been offered one single opportunity to start work in eleven months of applying to employers.

Utter "Kendall claptrap" and rubbish as usual.

I really can't say that I am enjoying the sunshine and hot weather we are currently having, apart from the constant worry of how I will be affected by any benefit changes or cut backs I have no energy do to anything due to a lack of healthy food and sleep. I was thinking about what is worse, winter at home wrapped in blankets to stay warm with no money for heating or the summer indoors trying to keep cool in the shade, unable to venture out in the sun not just through lack of energy but lack of the cost of going out, travel, sun cream, cold drinks or ice cream are far from what I am able to afford and that is before any cuts that will be made. I live a quiet and careful life especially when it comes to the internet with constant brightness and unwanted advertisements, so I was shocked and disappointed when this afternoon I tried to read some articles and interviews on the Guardian website when I discovered in order to read it online I must accept all advertisements and cookies or pay a monthly charge of £5. For people like myself who have struggled for years to bring up a daughter alone that is a cost I am just unable to consider. I will have to continue to get news updates as and when they come from others or a letter / email to say my benefits are being stopped. At this time I have no hope of any sort of brighter future, just more despair.

Some work coach appears understanding but they tend to use their jobs Regulations to act and respond to their clients issues.

Most work coaches do not want to know about your health challenges while some do and advise you on how to go about your predicament.

The fact that we have some physically challenged people working and trying to cope with their job stress, Work coaches will continue to pressurise people to intensify their efforts in getting a job and complying with the rules and regulations guiding such