I received 240 hours for abh, i think i came across like a really nice lad who was just unlucky. Straight after i i was pulled to one side and told it could of been worse and not to worry about it, i was then asked if i would like to leave it a week before i had to go for my introdution meeting to let me get my head straight (this was on a friday and the meeting was booked for wednesday nearly 2 weeks later). Again, after at the induction meeting i had another interveiw a probation manager, he was really nice and again he asked if i'd like to start that weekend or the following weekend so it was nearly a month before i'd done anything, he even asked why i didnt appeal as i seemed like a nice lad and it all seemed a little harsh.
As for the unpaid work no one wants to do it or be there but its what you make it, if you go with an attitude of not wanting to be there your'l just wind youself up, i just turn up say morning to everyone and try and make it as good as i can.