CHARGING FOR SERVICES.

Hi trip77

understand how difficult it is for many, especially now. Perhaps some kind of sponsorship system, maybe even someone else could look into this, but its up to the Admins because administrating that is also complex.

its a difficult thing to get the balance right for everyone when trying to provide a free support service. I am an Admin and a Mod, depending on terminology, on two health support sites and offer advise on others when asked. This one is a top notch site, in every way including cost. I have signed up and paid on others, shocked when having cancelled one it took another year out and would not refund me about a month ago. It was rubbish advise that just published a few members application forms.

There are additional costs outside of running a site technically, which does cost a fair amount anyway when using this kind of management system. Less so with a FB one which is really a very basic and not secure way of doing things. Additional costs very often come in with administration and advise. There are times when no matter how much we may know, things need to be checked and rechecked and from what I have seen with B and W much is involved with campaigning, challenging and working behind the scenes to try and get results and answers.

This is more than a support site.

The admins and those that work for no money, just a need to right what's wrong and help us all, I commend you, especially now because we have actually closed anymore posts on the heatwave on ours and pointed everyone to a guide. There is only so much repetition and heat related pain you can cope with when you are cooking yourself

Please be aware that the problem here ISNT the fact that we have to pay a small fee for the membership.. we all pay for things that are of value to us personally. This is the best site I known where you can get tremendous support for a small fee yearly. Genuinely, for the information, support and peace of mind it really is a godsend. If your personal circumstances mean you can’t afford the fee then maybe you need to look at other benefits you may be entitled too? Nothing is free and to expect this amount of information and support for nothing is very sad. I work in the voluntary sector and can assure you that the struggles charities face are getting worse, and the people setting these up are not looking out for their own needs but ours!!! I hope you can get your situation better sorted out. Regards

Further to my previous post, I have been a member since 2014 and when I renewed my membership this year it was the same price as then—so outstanding value. My claim for PIP is now 2 years old with hopefully another 8 years to go. I will renew my membership every year so that the site continues to exist and I can offer my experience to others where appropriate.
I have been on other sites which are basically people who think they are experts offering advice and are often dangerously incorrect. Also, I don't trust any site, organisation, or business that guarantees good results which some of them do. B & W is extremely professional.

I think the annual subscription is absolutely a fair charge and soo many people on here give their time and advice voluntarily . This is the best site I have found and the most supportive so I for one am happy and will continue to renew yearly as its excellent value.

Hi all,

Wading in.....

I think, even if a person doesn`t subscribe (I do), Benefits & work is an essential "tool" for those looking at applying for PIP (or any other benefit, come to that).

Whilst I understand the concern over paying for membership when the price of everything is trying to go through an ever heightening roof, the fee should be looked on as an investment. A person probably could be successful when claiming a benefit by reading the forums alone, but having access to the documentation opens a whole new world and way of looking at your surroundings.

The documents don`t make themselves; someone has to garner the information, validate it and then compile it in a manner that is easy for a subscriber to use.

I joined, used the documents and was subsequently awarded enhanced for Daily Living; I`m under no doubt whatsoever that I wouldn`t have gained enhanced without the documentation. In fact, I believe I would not have been awarded anything without becoming a subscriber.

For me, it was a very lucrative investment (to use a bit of a crude expression).

Andy