I was summoned to a WFI at Ingeus - the new name for the local Work Directions place - just after Christmas. This was apparently because I'd been on IB for 3 years.

The prospect of this ruined Christmas for me ...I suffer from anxiety and depression as well as physical health conditions and it was constantly on my mind.

Anyway, after a few sleepless nights the day dawned for the WFI. I got there (taxi there and back £20) to find it was just a box ticking exercise. I had to confirm my address and phone number... well plainly my address was correct as I'd got their letter, and if they had just phoned me they could have confirmed my phone number as well!

The 'advisor' I saw tried to sell me the idea of them stopping people 'rotting' -his word- on IB. I said I didn't see myself as 'rotting', thank you very much! Just because I wasn't well enough to work didn't mean I was some sort of non person or parasite!

He eventually agreed that at my age (58) and with my physical and mental health conditions I was unlikely to find a job, even if I could work. But he still went on to tell me how much I could earn working part time, without it affecting my IB ... he just didn't seem to realise that any extra income would affect my LHA £ for £!

Finally he gave me a shiny brochure - the very same one I'd already received through the post at least twice! He said that as it was entirely voluntary for me to attend their courses, if I did attend they would get more brownie points and money for me than if it was compulsory.... ehhhhhh?

A total waste of time. No wonder they aren't having a lot of success if my WFI was typical. The only good thing from my point of view is that they told me I won't have to attend another one as the next one won't be due till I'm 61, and they stop doing them once you're 60.

I have to attend WFI at Ingeus (they should have kept the name "work directions as at least it indicates what they are about). I find it to a total and utter waste of time, a box ticking exercise and the only productive thing about it is getting my travel costs reimbursed so it means I can them get some errands done as their office is in town. I enrolled on a computer course via Ingeus, it was farcical. The course is run by a provider that Ingeus outsource the training to. I signed up to go on the course at the Ingeus offices. Then I had to go and do a numeracy and literacy test at the training providers (passed with flying colours!). Thought I would then be able to start the course, but oh no, I had to provide proof of my benefits despite being registered with Ingeus!. Gave them all the relevant paperwork and they said they would phone me with a start date, I never heard another thing. I went to one Ingeus workshop, where basically the they said that keeping optimistic was the path to health and employment. I signed up for anonther workshop. Ingeus phoned me and told me it had been cancelled and that they would contact me with a new date, again months have passed and I have heard nothing. I find it a totally useless service, it is just cosmentic so that it looks as if the govenment is doing something. I have had far more help and support from my CPN and OT who treat me like an intelligent individual who needs time to get well and person focused support.

I won't be rushing to go on one of their courses, Strawberry Rodgers! I imagine the best thing about them is the shiny brochure.

My original appointment was for 31st December. I tried several times to get through to the DWP to ask if I really had to attend, but no joy...nobody ever answered the phone!

Then the DWP called me to tell me they'd have to change my appointment to another day since the building Ingeus is in was going to be closed on the 31st...a fact they hadn't reaslised apparently!!

At least you got your travelling costs reimbursed - I didn't!

Overall it was a complete waste of time but really non-threatening, so I would say to anyone that gets an appointment letter, don't worry about it.