The Extent of Stress or Discomfort That stress could have physical manifestations: the assessment I was really panicking. I just kept missing breaths. I felt I ‘At was in there to be (Parveen, 32, Dundee) judged’ was really nervous, I was scratching myself all the time. I was really upset, I ‘I feel confident, feel prepared, I know what I was getting didn’t didn’t didn’t into’ (Robert, 38, Dundee) Others reported a high degree of physical discomfort in the test, either for them or for their partner: was difficult for [her husband]. He had to get up and walk about a fair bit ‘It because of his back, he needs to stretch it a lot. He was physically really uncomfortable, it was a cramped wee room with hard chairs’ (Sandra, 49, Carer, Midlothian) Some clients remained angry at the experience of being in a face to face assessment: felt awful and get out quick enough. What they are putting people ‘I couldn’t through to get benefits is (Lorraine, 58, Midlothian) disgusting.’ One client had tablets to try to calm him before the assessment. This had ended up negatively impacting on its outcome: took a lot of tablets the first interview I went for [for ESA]. I was completely out ‘I of it, I remember being there. Ian thinks it hit my don’t chances…. The next time I take anything, but I sleep at night, even didn’t couldn’t couldn’t concentrate on the (George, 60, Falkirk) TV, nothing’ Mixed Experience Other clients reported a more mixed experience, suggesting in one breath that they had felt very stressed, whilst explaining earlier or later in their interview aspects of it that had gone well: assessment was ‘The nerve wracking…… I was able to say everything that I wanted (Joanne, 46, Glasgow). to.’ was mostly at ease in the ‘I assessment…… I really able to say all that I wanted to, I get everything out. I did wasn’t didn’t start to get emotional. You are sitting there and she is typing whilst she’s talking to (Kirsty, 52, Dundee) you’ remember the assessment that well, it was a bit of a blur. But I think I ‘I can’t got across everything I wanted to say…..
The Extent of Stress or Discomfort That stress could have physical manifestations: ‘At the assessment I was really panicking. I just kept missing breaths. I felt I was in there to be judged’ (Parveen, 32, Dundee) ‘I was really nervous, I was scratching myself all the time. I was really upset, I didn’t feel confident, didn’t feel prepared, I didn’t know what I was getting into’ (Robert, 38, Dundee) Others reported a high degree of physical discomfort in the test, either for them or for their partner: ‘It was difficult for [her husband]. He had to get up and walk about a fair bit because of his back, he needs to stretch it a lot. He was physically really uncomfortable, it was a cramped wee room with hard chairs’ (Sandra, 49, Carer, Midlothian) Some clients remained angry at the experience of being in a face to face assessment: ‘I felt awful and couldn’t get out quick enough. What they are putting people through to get benefits is disgusting.’ (Lorraine, 58, Midlothian) One client had tablets to try to calm him before the assessment. This had ended up negatively impacting on its outcome: ‘I took a lot of tablets the first interview I went for [for ESA]. I was completely out of it, I don’t remember being there. Ian thinks it hit my chances…. The next time I didn’t take anything, but I couldn’t sleep at night, couldn’t even concentrate on the TV, nothing’ (George, 60, Falkirk) Mixed Experience Other clients reported a more mixed experience, suggesting in one breath that they had felt very stressed, whilst explaining earlier or later in their interview aspects of it that had gone well: ‘The assessment was nerve wracking…… I was able to say everything that I wanted to.’ (Joanne, 46, Glasgow). ‘I was mostly at ease in the assessment…… I wasn’t really able to say all that I wanted to, I didn’t get everything out. I did start to get emotional. You are sitting there and she is typing whilst she’s talking to you’ (Kirsty, 52, Dundee) ‘I can’t remember the assessment that well, it was a bit of a blur. But I think I got across everything I wanted to say…..
Welfare-Advocacy-Support-Project-Evaluation-Report.docx