Work Program, voluntary or mandatory?

I had my first work focussed interview yesterday. Interestingly, as far as I could tell, all the interviewers were themselves disabled, mine was.

It wasn’t an ordeal, she was pleasant and helpful. She has arranged a ‘Work Programme Information Session’ with a private company - eos.

I am o.k. with this as I do not have to actually participate if I feel unable to, or if they think I’m not up to it.

My question is, she mentioned that if I do decide to start the programme, it will then become mandatory. Is this true?

My worry is that after a few weeks, my health deteriorates and that if I am unable to participate, I will be penalized.

Had a chat yesterday with a Welfare rights worker in my area and she told me that it's a common thing now for the person interviewing you for a Work focused Intervie w and the work programme is usually a disabled person. the idea seems to be " Well, if I can work and I'm disabled then why can't you? Everyone has different degrees and types of problem of course but that seems to be the psychology used

Whether or not you are correct, that's always been the impression I felt JCP and associated agencies were trying to give.

I take my hat of to anyone with severe disabilities that manages a nine to five job, but I don't think JCP is a typical workplace.