permitted work

Hi Guys
Just a query regarding Permitted Work. Would volunteering for a charity as a Befriender for just 1 hour per.week (bearing in mind that this has a 2 way benefit - to both befriender and befriended) require a declaration to DWP as this would not really be work and is beneficial to both parties health. The only possibility could be any petrol expenses - but may not even be required.

Also in a different circumstance would a few hours permitted work (obviously in this case notifying DWP) be detrimental to support group status?

Thanks for all your tireless efforts on behalf of increasingly stressed people whose conditions are being made worse by the constant witch hunt perpetrated by Government and areas of the media. Who would truly want to deal with all of this without being genuine?

Best regards
Lawson

Hi Lawson,

If your befriending is voluntary and unpaid, I would not think this needs to be declared as 'Permitted Work'. I'm sure one of my mod colleagues will comment if I am mistaken.

If you do decide to go down the official 'Permitted Work' route, you should be aware that this could, indeed, count against you when you are reassessed.

Thanks Gordon
I mainly understand the permitted work guidelines. I just wondered though specifically about the voluntary befriending.
As I mentioned - this is a 2 way street as it is creating contact and friendship for both parties and is therefore beneficial to both especially when social interaction has been considerably reduced due to health conditions.
I was mainly concerned with if this could possibly be construed as work and therefore require DWP permission?

Thanks for your help with this
Lawson

Thanks Gordon