Out of work for many years, need help

Samanthamum

Hello,

I am a long term lurker and desperately need some advice.

I am a married mum to a 14 yr old. I have never worked since leaving school. Over the years I have developed health problems including morbid obesity, sweating, anxiety and eczema. I rarely leave the house and if I do I am usually with someone.

I have slowly begun to work on my problems and have lost 2 stone in the past 6 months. I try and go for a 30 min walk alone everyday and although this is difficult I do manage it.

I would love to have some kind of job to help my self esteem and ease the financial burden on my husband. He has been a rock and has never pushed me to work. However he has recently took a pay cut at work and says that me bringing in some money, even if just £100 a week would be so helpful.

I need to find work, but my physical abilities are very limited. Anything more than 20 mins of activity leave me very tired. I am ok sitting down and would love to work on a computer in an office, but have no idea where to look or if anyone would even employ me.

I want to work in the daytime, maybe 2 days a week as full time work would be impossible right now. I have looked at the matched betting thread and am going to try that at least. However, long term I do think I need to get out of the house.

Any pointers or advice?

Fran

I would suggest a good move would be to volunteer locally doing something you enjoy or for a cause you think is worthwhile. This would be a good option to help you get out of the house and experience something new and help you meet new people. Often people get work through contacts they have so this would increase your chances of paid work.

gwinnie

How about starting with a volunteering job, such as admin work for community organisations. This would give you skills and experience and I'm sure confidence as well because this type of organisation is generally friendly and informal.

Samanthamum

Thanks. I thought about volunteer work, but my husband is not so keen saying that it is working for nothing. I also need to be in paid employment very soon or we will sink fast.

I have 2 months to find some kind of paid work before things get sticky.

I guess I am kind of looking for career/paid work suggestions for people who have similar health issues. I see bigger ladies working on tills and things sometimes and I could do that kind of work.

I thought about care work or McDonalds etc but, I cant really work with food or clean because of my eczema and I would struggle on my feet for a long time. I know as my weight goes down this will improve.

A caring role appeals, but lots of positions want you to work overnight shifts etc.

Ideally I would like to lose some more weight before looking for a job as so much more would be open to me, but I don't have that option.

DKLS

Samanthamum wrote: »

I have slowly begun to work on my problems and have lost 2 stone in the past 6 months. I try and go for a 30 min walk alone everyday and although this is difficult I do manage it.

No real pointers or advice, but good for you on losing the 2 stones, and making changes in your life. :T:T

hothothot_3

Samanthamum wrote: »

A caring role appeals, but lots of positions want you to work overnight shifts etc.
.

In my mind (having known people to work in catering) is very bad if you have excema as it involves having your hands in and out of water alot of the time, and various other known irritants.

If your weight has been an issue, I would stay away from office work unless you want to either; put the weight back on or exercise outwith your work time. (My personal experience going from a physical job into an entirely office based one)

Oldernotwiser

Samanthamum wrote: »

I thought about care work or McDonalds etc but, I cant really work with food or clean because of my eczema and I would struggle on my feet for a long time.

Not all care work involves cleaning; do you drive? What about setting up as a childminder?

gwinnie

Samanthamum wrote: »

Thanks. I thought about volunteer work, but my husband is not so keen saying that it is working for nothing. I also need to be in paid employment very soon or we will sink fast.

Depending on the role, it I would call it training for nothing :A , speaking from personal experience. But I take on board the urgency here.

I have 2 months to find some kind of paid work before things get sticky.

I guess I am kind of looking for career/paid work suggestions for people who have similar health issues. I see bigger ladies working on tills and things sometimes and I could do that kind of work.

I thought about care work or McDonalds etc but, I cant really work with food or clean because of my eczema and I would struggle on my feet for a long time. I know as my weight goes down this will improve.

A caring role appeals, but lots of positions want you to work overnight shifts etc.

Ideally I would like to lose some more weight before looking for a job as so much more would be open to me, but I don't have that option.

How about homecare assistant? AFAIK this is daytime hours only.

Another longer term option is working for the NCT. As a mum, would you be interested in doing antenatal teaching or breastfeeding counselling? Again, this is a long term one as it involves training but you could perhaps do it alongside working and the good news is that it's free: http://www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com/in-your-area/gloucester/trainingopps

gilligansyle

Couple of things:- well done on the weight loss, so good for your self esteem.

Have you thought about delivering your local freesheet. I know they are normally associated with teenagers and pensioners but it could earn you something and get you exercise at the same time. You would need to be able to get to the area you were delivering though, so only good if you drive or your OH is prepared to help.

Leaflet delivery pays around £20 -£25 per thousand.

Also if you drive, you could look at courier stuff. Delivering for catalogues etc. No idea what the money is like.

fengirl_2

I think you and your OH have to be realistic here. There are 100's of people applying for the basic kind of job you describe and the people who get the jobs are those with some experience or skills behind them. Until you have something concrete to offer an employer I think you are going to struggle.
I would agree with those who have suggested volunteering - I have seen this work so many times for people in your position who are now in paid work. There is nothing to stop you applying for paid jobs at the same time and the volunteering will add to your CV as well as getting you used to a routine outside the home again.

candlegirl

Why not look on the up your income thread, lots of good ideas and their is also various different topics for party plan companies.

This would help you get back into the work force, and quite alot of the work can be done from home.

This might be good for you as would get you back into meeting people and you also work when suits you!

Good luck and well done on loosing 2 stone wish I could have your will power!