Hobbies? Things to do?

Kate78

How about knitting or crochet? You can teach yourself from a book, check out your local charity shop for beginners guides.

LittleMrsThrifty

Where a bouts in the country are you?

Pee

I am sorry to hear about your Mum. Something positive towards your Uni course sounds a good idea, whether OU or a history A level course if that's an A level you didn't do and would be interested in - or maybe Spanish or English Literature or maybe French literature or the ECDL computer course. Lots of degrees do require computer skills, and lots of jobs afterwards.

The ECDL is modular and I think quite flexible, so that you continue more slowly if your mum needed more care, progress faster when she felt better etc.

onlyroz

I was also going to suggest the Open University.

babyshoes

Melt and Pour soap making is fun and the products make great presents, though the initial outlay can cost a bit. Look for my tutorial on instructables.com

Lots of free fruit out there at the moment - jam, jelly, chutney, fruity booze etc are all easy and fun to make.

Fimo clay is a great thing to craft with, and relatively small outlay if you just buy a few basic colours to start with.

Do you have to be physically at home all day, or simply not away for too long? If you got an allotment as suggested, would your Mom be able to go along with you and sit in a shady spot and [STRIKE]watch[/STRIKE] supervise, or help with a little light weeding etc?

Ask at your local dump if there is some sort of craft materials recycling scheme - the one near us has a scheme where for a small yearly subscription, you can take away all sorts of things which are otherwise considered waste. I have seen all sorts of things there, from offcuts of leather to bits of ribbon, to lots of paper/card to bits of wood. Just looking around is enough to get me all fired up and thinking 'oooh, I could make xyz out of that' - but working full time I don't have time for it!

If you mention the general area where you are, someone may have area-specific ideas for you.

eleanor73

-Craft-cardmaking stuff is now in the 99p store
-read
-enter competitions!
-cross stitch
-sewing
-baking
-cooking
-old fashioned writing letters! (far better to receive than emails)
-start a blog/write
-depending on what skills you have you could ask local charities if there is anything you could do for them from home.
-puzzles
-Art
-furniture restoration

good luck. Hope your Mum gets better.

Mayflower10cat

I'm very sorry to hear about your Mum. But well done you for supporting her and caring for her in this difficult time. I can quite understand why you want to occupy your time & your mind; it'll keep you sane!!!! I had one idea for you then another popped into my head. The first one was, I make & sell jewellery and as a sideline I put an advert in the Parish mag offering to repair costume jewellery. I was very surprised at how many people have nice little bits of 'junk jewellery' that isn't worth anything but has sentimental value. Mainly I'm replacing lost diamantes and restringing necklaces; it really isn't tricky if you're practically minded and the materials aren't expensive. Plus, you get to meet some very nice people! My idea for you was to advertise in your local shop for small repairs to clothing; it does depend on how good you are at sewing as to what you'll tackle, but there really is a market for buttons being replaced, fitting new zips, simply taking a hem up.

My second idea was; a friend of mine volunteers for the RNIB (hearing books for the blind). About twice a week for an hour, she reads out loud an abridged version of the daily papers which is recorded and sent out to members. She also reads out poetry and really enjoys this. I gather they're always after new readers!

belfastgirl23

What about some volunteer work? YOu'd be improving your skills and employment prospects whilst also doing something useful for people. As long as you were clear at the start of your circumstances then you might find them more accommodating than 'regular' work if things change.

VK-2008

the open uni course is a great idea as you can study when you are available
as for crafts you could do and make nappy and towel cakes. google them or put it in youtube and it will show you what to do. there is also card making, think of all the year round events birthdays, driving tests, new home, babys, get well soon, xmas its endless
knitting and sewing is good too.
you could pop to your local council alot of places do cheap courses and things like photography
their is exercising take up the new craze zumba - im starting on thursday


and if your really stuck you can pop up to my house and get a cleaning job lol. in all seriousness though find something you enjoy, if its crafts just becareful what you spend i know when i make my cards they can get really dear by the time i buy all my extras

wishing your mum, you and your family all the best - take care. its an amazing thing what you are doing for your mum - she is lucky to have you xxx

littlenicki

Thank you for all the fantastic suggestions guys, got lots to think about! Im doing a paediatric nursing course which is 50% placement based so unfortunately I wont be able to do that with OU, I will look at some of their courses though.

Also, based in Brighton if that helps?