REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK BY MODS

Hello Gordon,
You mods do a fantastic job! I don't think your posts are the problem. People are so desperate & afraid I don't think we realise how time consuming it is for you.

I still haven't got the hang of the website & forum due to my limited computer skills.
I find that you have to go back to the home page to see a link or look up the PIP or ESA guides.

I still haven't worked out how to bookmark something as Mrs Hurtyback suggests.
The PIP guides are very detailed so it takes a long time to read them. I still don't understand variability.
It took ages to work out that I can use the search link above or click on my profile.

There does seem to be a dreadful pattern to people's posts : terror-anger-fear-denial at PIP phone call. Then looking at how to delay or get out of it. Ghastly realisation at PIP 2 & how to get supporting evidence to avoid F2F, GP evidence. Then computer appointments far away etc etc.
By which time lack of sleep, fear & anxiety takes over & you can barely function let alone think or use the computer.
I used the forum for emotional support as I live alone, I didn't realise this was selfish of me until later.

Would a flow chart make things clearer?
Most of the questions are very similar is it possible to have an automatic link to a set response first, then ask people to come back with a more specific problem?

I find blocks of text very difficult to read.
Highlighting might help or specific directions about how to click on links or page nos in the guide i.e great new template GP letter in PIP guide.
Sorry if this post is too long.
Kind regards. Susie

Gordon people of a certain age are finding it difficult to look around the site and people of a certain disposition are finding it hard to work around the site i am alright with it but i did find it hard to start with but after all these years there is so much more imformation and i think some people think their in a mind field . Im not sure what the answer is but i had to look and look and read and read everything for all of it to sink in. and to understand even up until today i have had to read and get some advise from the site just to make sure i have written the right words on my sons form because i had a panic attack today as it was i need not have worried All is calm for the moment.

Most of what has already been said resonates with me. It's a combination of factors but one that isn't always obvious is the lack of understanding resulting in varying degrees of panic, significant anxiety and sheer fear. I spent many years as a benefits professional and the experiences in claiming ESA / DLA / PIP as a claimant have all had a negative impact on my health. If it's affecting someone with that background, I can only imagine how others might struggle.

I'll throw in one suggestion whilst readily acknowledging it would require some work and would take time to build. Howabout a B &W "Wiki" so that Mods only have to post a link? For example, if someone asks specifically about recording HP assessments, have a link to an article about that rather than a link to a whole guide? At the same time, the "whole guide" link could be posted anyway.

Maybe by posting this one idea, it will trigger some thoughts in other posters.

For what it's worth, I fully understand how much work is involved in dealing with the volume of posts and, with that in mind, it's no mean feat to respond to so many, even if some responses are necessarily duplicated. Unfortunately, my own circumstances are such that I'm not able to help (bar the odd post) and it's very frustrating when reading repeated examples of evident injustices suffered by so many posters.

The forum is a valuable resource and it would be a terrible shame if the sheer weight of work caused it to be further restricted or even withdrawn. Hopefully, there will be a way forward.

Hi mods

Firstly txs for the work u do, appreciated.

Secondly, I don't think think you guys can phrase things any easier/or simpler, the phrasing is fine,

Personally I think Members need to read the FAQ's, and guides better as 99.9% of questions being asked are answered in these sections.

Think it's also an issue with some not having computer literacy in understanding how to bookmark etc.

Is there a way, without it being too tedious to observe the repeat questions asked the most, and maybe advise that particular Member, a) were to find the answer to their query and b) advise them how to bookmark.

It may cut repeat questions asked.

phraseology doesn't appear complicated.

post length is fine, sometimes some people need a bigger or lesser response and you tailor to match.. My point of view, the majority of posters seem to be computer aware, they post and get an informative reply and are happy - so I think its a case of some people don't get the reply they want to hear and keep going thinking they will get it OR they are so distressed at the point of posting they just cant see the wood for the trees.

Not much to add regards presenting information other than your own suggestions and replies given.

I don't think the referals are difficult to find/understand........maybe some people will struggle because of a mix of technophobe and high anxiety. The use of a summary for each link so they can get the key info needed for them, with the link optional for extra details - but I think you do this the majority of the time anyway....maybe bold the key info?

Maybe the posters who repeatedly start new threads (can understand its probably high anxiety etc) you could reply on one thread only and close the other threads with a link to the one that's "active" ie show them that only one thread will contain replies.

Sorry all I can think of before rushing out!