Volunteering

I wonder if I could obtain some advice from you with regard to participating in a degree of unpaid volunteering work?

I am in receipt of enhanced Daily Living and Mobility components of PIP and Contribution based New Style ESA, for which a health Assessment placed me in the Support Group.

I have been approached by a local Semi Professional football Club to consider volunteering as a minibus driver for their first team's away fixtures, due to my previous experience of driving minibuses and the fact that my Driving Licence has D1 status.

This request was, I have now discovered, prompted by my wife and immediate family members to encourage me to venture outside my home and to socialise a bit.

For many years, my mental health and low self esteem has impacted on my ability to do so and such a volunteering role may benefit my mental health.

The role is completely volunteering with no associated payment. No expenses will be claimed either.

The football club are a registered CIC Company.

It involves driving a power steered minibus once a fortnight, to local areas (not long distance) and does not impact upon the elements of my claim for PIP and Contribution based New Style ESA.

This activity is highly limited and only possible under very specific conditions that take my health needs into account:

The task involves minimal physical exertion and no manual handling.

I would receive support in preparing for the journey, including planning and managing fatigue.

The activity is predictable and does not require me to respond to unexpected or stressful situations.

If I accepted on a trial basis, would such a volunteer role impact upon my PIP and ESA?D

I am aware that it would not fit the criteria of permitted work as it is not paid, but I am unsure as to what the DWP find appropriate for volunteering.

At this point I am only considering this option without committing to anything, but it may well give my mental health a boost!!