Voluntary Work and ESA

I wonder if anyone can advise on a potential problem re: work focused interviews and what can and cant be expected of a claimant.
I have recently been migrated and have a long prognosis not due to end for another (almost) 2 years. I had initial WFI and second one was done over the phone last week.
As the advisor recognises I would be unable to return to work for sometime (if at all) the issue of voluntary work came up, as it always does.
In my case my problems include issues with sitting, standing and even in getting in and out of a chair and I am extremely limited in mobility and what I can do etc.
As I have some IT skills and qualifications and as I have a pc at home it was suggested I consider doing some voluntary work from home... things such as producing newsletters etc .. ( I assume for charities or so on).
My question is this: if I did agree to this how could it affect my entitlement in that could it then be used to suggest I am "fit" to work from home and made to claim JSA on that basis as opposed to being entitled to ESA?
I know it sounds a stupid question but although the adviser himself seems really ok I have no trust in the DWP and always see an ulterior motive...as do many and with good reason.Could i be opening myself up to being classed as fit to work if I agree to this voluntary work from home and indeed, do i have to agree to it.. i am not on any work programme thus far.

micksville wrote:

I wonder if anyone can advise on a potential problem re: work focused interviews and what can and cant be expected of a claimant.
I have recently been migrated and have a long prognosis not due to end for another (almost) 2 years. I had initial WFI and second one was done over the phone last week.
As the advisor recognises I would be unable to return to work for sometime (if at all) the issue of voluntary work came up, as it always does.
In my case my problems include issues with sitting, standing and even in getting in and out of a chair and I am extremely limited in mobility and what I can do etc.
As I have some IT skills and qualifications and as I have a pc at home it was suggested I consider doing some voluntary work from home... things such as producing newsletters etc .. ( I assume for charities or so on).
My question is this: if I did agree to this how could it affect my entitlement in that could it then be used to suggest I am "fit" to work from home and made to claim JSA on that basis as opposed to being entitled to ESA?
I know it sounds a stupid question but although the adviser himself seems really ok I have no trust in the DWP and always see an ulterior motive...as do many and with good reason.Could i be opening myself up to being classed as fit to work if I agree to this voluntary work from home and indeed, do i have to agree to it.. i am not on any work programme thus far.

You may wish to refer to the guide entitled "Caution! It May Not Count as Voluntary Work" in the Work Resources.

Thanks guys the "may not count as volunteering" is a real eye opener CD... In this case the adviser clearly stated that perhaps I could consider working from home... nothing else... No work programme or work experience etc was mentioned and certainly no expenses or renumeration. It is something i would actually be willing to consider but want to weigh all the pros cons and pitfalls up first.
Also, I seem to remember reading on b and w somewhere that a verbal agreement is all that was needed if for instance someone who wasnt yet eligible for the work programme showed interest in it. In this case I merely agreed on the phone that working from home doing something like producing some newsletters was something I could do, i.e in the sense that I have the IT skills to do it.
It was left at that and I was told I would get a letter sometime in August for my next WFI, this after I have had a further hospital appointment that I have to attend, so I agreed to come in and have a chat about it.
Now Im actually quite worried that I might have committed myself to something verbally that I am not really sure about. Would I have to agree it in writing as part of an action plan or could merely showing interest in something like this pose me problems.