Opinions Please

euronorris

What about the local schools/nurseries? Do they require any assistance.

I didn't live in a rural area, but my first job was assisting the teacher in the school nursery after my own lessons had finished. It wasn't much, just helping to hand out paints, paper etc and then tidying it away again, ensuring the kids aren't trying to paint each other (lol), and I was 15 when I started that.

I only did it for 4 hours per week, I think it was, but was fortunate enough to get 4 pounds per hour, so 16 quid a week. Which felt like a fortune to me at the time.

The school office may be looking for someone to help with filing, typing etc also. Worth checking.

I understand why your parents don't want to be ferrying you about, but I do feel they should be offering more guidance. I wonder if they are, subconciously, afraid of you growing up, so they are hindering your attempts to find employment without realising it.

lostinrates

I'd love to have someone like tulipsandroses help me with the dogs...I bet you could also wash and brush dogs.

I earnt a small fortune at your age OP, babysitting. I remember being really disappointed one week that I had ''only'' earned £70! I really admire young people who want to earn and are self motivated, and I'd be pleased to offer the opportunity, but not sure what the legalities are. This would concern me, as it all seems so much more serious now than it did when I was your age. May I suggest you find out so that you can reassure prospective employers...people who might may you to dogwalk, clean out rabbit hutches or baby sit kids what you can and can't do within the law and without them having employers' insurances? I'd also want to know what I should legally pay you and what you expect to earn. I'd expect to pay you the right minimum wage for ''chores'' but if they were well done I'd be giving a bonus.

Other things to consider are chores....I'd be thrilled to find a couple of teenagers to paint barn walls, sweep and perhaps help with some gardening, and other general chores in a rural house/garden.

In fact, I'm situated cycling distance between three villages teaming with teens and wish they'd leaflet me.

Good luck!

snowdrop1967

Hi we moved to a rural area last year and decided that it is only fair to ferry our two around. My daughter is 15 and has just started a Saturday job at a dance shop which involves a 25 minute drive. Yes it costs petrol and she doesnt earn a lot but what it does give her is confidence and some experience to put on her CV. We are hoping that perhaps next Summer when she is 16 and has more experience she can get something closer. I used to work at Connexions so understand how hard it is for young people to get jobs now, it is not the same as when I was her age there are far more many rules and regulations etc.

Gazing_On_Sunsets

I grew up in a similar situation. 4 miles from a small town, and no buses at all. My dad got me a bike (when he went to the local tip he "found" one for me..!!!) and I would just cycle everywhere. Luckily being rural there were plenty of food factories, salad factories, and the like. Also some friends worked seasonal work on the farms. Being 15 you are limited, but the suggestions above are all good. Also, cleaning houses, that'd be a good one.

I think things will open up for you once you hit 16, because you sound so resourceful. I remember cycling to the local factory just after I turned 16, on the Friday after school, asking for a job. They said "be here at 6am sunday" and that was it, I worked every weekend till I went to Uni.

If no jobs leap out once you hit 16 then straight away get yourself doing voluntary work, it will put you miles ahead - meeting people, getting skills, and be fab on your CV - just while you work on getting yourself a job. Good luck.

(I got a moped once i hit 16, it was a life-saver, finally - a social life!!!)

gratefulforhelp_2

tulipsandroses wrote: »

I am 15 and want to find a part-time job. However, we live in an exceptionally rural area. There is no bus service and the towns closest are a 25 minute car journey away in both directions. My parents are unwilling to give me a lift (even though I've offered to pay) because they say that when they were my age they had already learned to do stuff off their own backs.

Do you think this is unfair?

It is quite harsh....but fair.

You don't need a part-time job, do you? You have exams coming, maybe they want you to concentrate on those?

Maybe offer to pay the petrol and reach a compromise? Petrol won't be cheap over that distance.

Good luck.

peaceandfreedom

tulipsandroses wrote: »

I only turned 15 last month so it seems an age to wait before I'll be able to ferry myself about. This is where my argument falls down because it does seem to be unreasonable for them to be giving me lifts. However, it wasnt my choice to live in a rural area and it does my head in! Whenever I want to go anywhere I end up staying at friends houses whose parents then give me a lift because they're taking their kid too. I feel like a right scavenger!

Well, I think that's naughty of your parents. If other parents are giving you lifts then your parents should reciprocate some of the time, it's only fair. I find it very irritating when I am constantly giving lifts to kids whose parents never give lifts back.

I am a parent to 3 teenagers and we live in a rural area, though the nearest villages are a bit closer. Public transport is non-existent and the roads aren't too safe for walking or cycling, so I drive the kids around the place all the time - to nearby villages (for work/after-school stuff), into the nearest towns for shopping/cinema etc.

Although living in a small rural village is great when you're young, the drawback when you're older is that you're kind of stuck here - all the kids around here learn to drive as soon as they possibly can.

I think if your parents are on your case about getting a job, they need to be more forthcoming with lifts.

Meanwhile, the suggestions others have given you for trying to get bits of work locally are great.

bagginslover

I didn't think you could get contracted work til you were 16? NI number comes through then, I thought that was when you could commence 'proper' employment? Supermarkets and the like? That's certainly how it was when I was younger.

Baby-sitting, dog walking, car washing, household chores, and gardening would all be fair game to a keen 15 year old though. Are you any good at make-up or hair styling? I wouldn't recommend cutting hair, but offering to help with up-dos and make-up for people going to parties etc might be an idea.

peaceandfreedom

bagginslover wrote: »

I didn't think you could get contracted work til you were 16? NI number comes through then, I thought that was when you could commence 'proper' employment? Supermarkets and the like? That's certainly how it was when I was younger.

You won't get work in a supermarket before 16 but you will get work as a washer-upper / waitress etc. though the hours are (supposed to be) restricted, especially during term-time.

My daughter was working as a waitress when she was 13 I think.

tankgirl1

I grew up in a little village and by 14 I was babysitting, doing shopping for OAP's and had a paper round. I also worked in a pub as a waitress/pot washer/general skivvy but I think I was 16 by then. I also remember at about 9 or 10 washing cars for about 50p a time :rotfl:

Good luck OP - I like the idea of posting out flyers saying what you are prepared to do. I'd love to have a reliable babysitter, or someone to cut the grass for me

make_me_wise

I think all of the sensible options for finding work have already been mentioned by others. Didn't want to read and run though. May I just say how great I think it is that at 15 you are so resourceful and keen to start standing on your own two feet. With that approach to work you will do well in life. Good on you OP