Not Relying On Benefits

LadyMorticia

Hello everyone.

I'm a bit nervous about posting this and I wasn't sure whether to put it on the benefits board or not but because it's to do with jobseeking/work, I thought this might be the best place.

A little bit of background:

I'm 23 years old and am currently in receipt of income support and LRM/HRC DLA.

Before I became ill, I worked as a shop assistant in the local newsagents in the village I used to live in.

At the moment I'm too ill to work but I'm thinking about the future and don't want to have to rely on benefits. I want to get myself better so that I can support myself and my OH.

My only qualifications are GCSEs and 1 AS level.

I want a career but I'm not sure where my strengths lie.

When I'm well enough to work, how would I go about coming off of IS and seeking work? I take it alot of jobs would like references and relative experience, which because I would have been on IS, I would lack. Would anyone be willing to take on someone who lacks experience but at decreased pay?

I'm sorry if this post seems jumbled.:o It's almost 3AM and I'm not very good at explaining myself tonight.:o

Thank you in advance.

chika

Hi there,

Good for you for thinking about the future. Have you thought about doing some kind of voluntary work? I just did a quick google and as long as you do the work for a not for profit organisation then it won't affect your benefits. Most places are glad of the help and you can do just one or two hours a week. Or what you can manage that won't have an adverse effect on your health. The bonus is you can try lots of different types of position in many different organisations. You will be able to get good references and the crucial experience to put on your CV and prospective employers will look at it favourably.

If you look a https://www.vinspired.com and enter your postcode it will come up with a list of volunteering opportunities in your area.

Best of luck!

Oldernotwiser

I agree. Voluntary work will give you both experience and a reference, as well as a gentle reintroduction to work.

Hammyman

In addition to that, there are a raft of "back to work" payments available for those coming off sickness related benefits including one paying £40 a week tax free for a year.

Owain_Moneysaver

As well as voluntary work many colleges will give fee exemptions to people on benefits, you could do either a formal class-based course or a flexible learning course such as ECDL.

Voluntary work in a charity shop will give you further experience in customer service, dealing with the public, cash handling, working in a team, etc. If you prefer something not public facing then many charities need help for admin work, maybe enveloping mailshots or updating a website, to setting up events such as sponsored walks. An animal centre might want help with cleaning pens or dog walking.

flutterbyuk25

Hi Lady Morticia,

I work for a charity that runs personal development courses for 16-25 year olds. Have a look at what we do and see if it may be what you are looking for:

http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/need_help/courses/team.aspx

It is very beneficial, and would help you gain essential skills like teamwork, communication etc, plus you do 2 wks work placement, and you'll get a reference from that and the charity.

It won't affect your benefits either. It is full time (mon-fri 9.30-4.30 where I run it!) but we would be accommodating if your illness meant you missed a few days so I'm sure wherever you attended it would be the same. You gain some qualifications too, key skills.

If you want more info feel free to PM me. There are many courses like ours out there, perhaps make an appointmet with job centre to see what is available.

HTH

x

DavidSPTABC

This is not a critiism as such of the above posts but it saddens me that most of the advice centres on benefits and voluntary work (valuable though it may be). I agree and accept that it is difficult to get back into work after time away for any reason but this cannot be the only way to go, infact I know there are many alternatives.

I have my own small business but it and me were down in the dumps because i wasn't achieving what I wanted out of life. I have now changed my whole attitude to work with the help of a Business Coach which believe it or not is costing me nothing. This is because we work as a team, we are not alone and to repay the favour I now help others to achieve. Anyone seen the film "Pay it Forward" with Kevin Spacey?

Opportunities like this abound, OK you have to look out for scams, but that shouldn't put anyone off, just use your common sense. No one need be out of work and on benefit, with so many opportunities available to them and with so many people ready to help them be successfull absolutely free. It's really a case of 'thinking outside the box', I actually hate that expression but it is what you have to do.

Sorry if this sounds a bit blunt and 'soap boxy' and in the end it's just my opinion. However, from personal experience I can say with confidence that I am right. Happy to help if I can!