i want to work

sairz

i just spent ages typing a post up only for it to dissapear lol, so here it is in a shorter version

I am skint i live in a run down house that i private rent, i have been trying to get social housing but the list is never ending, i cant afford to buy a house as my partner works 40 hrs on min wage so this would just not be enought for todays house prices, i have 4 children under 7 to support, 2 are in school, i feel like my life is going no where, all i do is clean and do school runs, i dont go out anymore as i am always with the kids and im in debt upto my eyeballs which i cant afford to pay more than minimum and thats a struggle.
i have thought long and hard and i would like to get a job so one day our combine incomes might get us on the housing ladder and i might be able to start paying off my debt and making a secure future for the kids, now the problem is i have never had a job EVER, im 25, i have no confidence and i find it scarey just thinking about so i dont want to just jump in at the deep end,
i have seena course that helps with cv's, confidence building and helps you get into work now the course is 37 hrs per week but im uncertain as to if i could claim child care as my partner works and i wouldnt be getting an income, i alsodont want to make us worse off so considering when i do get a job it would more than likely be min wage ,would i lose child tax credit or my oh wtc? im just lost and dont know what to do for the best

mirrorimage0

sorry i have no factual advice to give you but i just wanted to say well done to you for looking into different options and getting back out there is not that scary after all, i have been working again for the past year now as both my boys are in school, although ive only gone into a cleaning job but it means im supporting myself and not stuck at home pulling my hair out and can actually talk to other adults now rather than just kids it gives me something to look forward too.
wish you lots of luck im sure you willl be fine.

peter999

sairz wrote:

,
i have seena course that helps with cv's, confidence building and helps you get into work now the course is 37 hrs per week but im uncertain as to if i could claim child care as my partner works and i wouldnt be getting an income,

Speak to people that run these courses & ask if there is any help available for childcare.

Ask them if they do short/part-time courses or know of anybody that does to build your skills & confidence

Take one step at time to improve your skills & see what opportunities there are to get a job.

peter999

Prudent

You may be putting yourself under a lot of pressure taking by 37 hours a week with 4 small children. Reading your post one of the key issue is housing. Is it possible for you to consider a shared ownership option? This would allow you to start on the housing ladder and may give you a boost emotionally too.

msmicawber

Dear sairz, it must be very scary to be thinking of making a first step at 25, but don't forget you've got a valid reason for not having worked, so in an interview you can account for those years of not working.

Have you spoken to the college where the course is held as they may have a creche or nursery. They may also have a student advisor who could help you find out about how to fund the childcare. Or your local Connexions office - they may know what money you'd be eligible for towards child care and other course costs. If they can't help, then I'd recommend speaking to the good old CAB.

Best wishes.

djdido2

Sairz. I know how it feels just to be a mum and do nothing but cleaning and the school run and little left time for yourself. Its easy to get stuck in a rut and you sound like your self-esteem has hit a low because you are so busy being a mum. Four kids under seven sounds like alot of work. Try and think positive!! Being a mother for four children will certainly have given you some skills that youcould apply to the work place.

Keep looking for all the opportunities you can and don't be afraid to ask what is available to you. Are there any courses at your local school or community centre that could update your skills??? It does not matter that you havent yet has a job but the thing is you have as a Full-time Mother!!

Good luck and stay positive!!!!!

x
dido

sairz

Thanks for all the advice, unfortunatly i phoned the course up only to be told i had to recieve IS or jsa to attend so thats out of the window
the town i live in is very small so theres not much to offer locally, im going to ring learn direct and see if theres anything they could offer me, it is hard with four kids and in a way i feel guilty about wanting to work as i have always been with my children and the baby is 9 months old and has NEVER been away from me and she is very clingy, but i suppose in the long run it will be better for the us all, i hate being stuck in this flat and would just love for us to have a garden so the kids can play out a little more often, luckily my health visitor dropped of a leaflet yesterday about a job workshop on the 19th so i will go along to that and see what there is to offer.
Thankyou again i was sooooo down yesterday but feeling a little bit better today

Broken_hearted

How about an OU short course to build your confidence. You say you've never worked did you not even babysit when you were younger, any experience would be a bonus.

coffeeandfags

What a shame you cant get on the course!! I did it last year and it was BRILLIANT!!!!
I was in a similar situation to yourself, im a single mum to 2 kids and was getting deeper in debt. I had been to college for 3 years, but hadnt actually worked for 15!! The course consists of 2 weeks in college and 2 weeks in a work placement........my confidence went through the roof!!!
2 weeks later i had a job!!
A year on, and i feel like im back in control of my life.......i really cant speak highly enough about that course!! My advice would be to make yourself known at the jobcentre, tell them you would love to do the course......you never know!! One woman in my class wasnt on benefits either....just out of work for a long time. So, go and pester them.....they may well be desperate to fill places!
Childcare is not an issue for me as my kids are 16 and 12 now.....but if you were to do a college course, they should provide childcare for you.

full-time-mum

I know that it isn't much but have you considered registering with the survey sites and the cashback sites?
It does make me feel as though I'm at least trying and its a starting point.

I joined freefivers and do the regular clicking everyday and, since august, I've had 2 payouts totalling nearly £70. I'm hoping for a £25 payout next month and my OH has been doing clicks since just before Xmas and he should get £25ish next month too.
We have done a very small amount of internet purchases giving some cashback but it has mainly been DVDs/CDs and books paying around 20p a time so nothing huge.
The biggest was £12 for my car insurance and £5 for applying for a credit card. I should also get £5 for recommending OH soon. The rest was all clicks. Every little helps.

I've also registered with the survey sites but I'm not sure it has been worth it as I never seem to qualify - maybe your profile is better and you will be able to do more surveys than me. I think that once I have earned enough to withdraw, I will stop doing them but I'm blowed if I'm letting them have what I have already earned.

There is more info on the referers board - obviously I'd love it if you asked me and I got the incentive but the important thing is that someone gets the bonus money and that you start earning (if you want to). PM if you want a list of my daily clicks to set up into your favourites. I would suggest you set up a separate email for clicking etc as you do tend to get spam from some of the click to sites.

I also do some mystery shopping but find it incredibly difficult with the children (both mine are at school now so it is a bit easier) so I suspect this would cause you more hassle than it is worth.

Have you Next Step in your area, they should be able to help with careers advice/courses/funding etc.

Don't get too down about how you feel, us stay at home mum's all feel that way from time to time (if not much of the time). The important thing is that you've recognised how down(trapped) you feel and you have decided to do something about it.

seven-day-weekend

Also, while you're looking for work, why not take on some voluntary work? Maybe at your older childrens' schools, they always want people to hear the children read, help in the library etc etc. Or maybe in a charity shop?

This will improve your confidence, give you some workplace experience, and you will also be able to provide an 'employer's' reference.

I got a full-time job with a City Council on the strength of some voluntary work I had done.

Good luck!