Wwyd?

happybucket

She has:
young children in primary school,
Mental health problems, ongoing, depression and psychosis,
Severe mobility problems which are only going to get worse,
To get back to work to get back on the property ladder.

What should she do?

PuddleP

Start looking at the positives in her life? What can she do that will benefit an employer?

kingfisherblue

happybucket wrote: »

She has:
young children in primary school,
Mental health problems, ongoing, depression and psychosis,
Severe mobility problems which are only going to get worse,
To get back to work to get back on the property ladder.

What should she do?

She could ask at the Job Centre about any courses they offer. Some will be better than others. Our local council offers basic maths and English courses free of charge, held in libraries and community centres. Even if the person has qualifications in these, they might be able to do a refresher, which could increase confidence and self esteem.

Other courses may be available through her child's school, or through community centres or a local college. I'm assuming she receives means tested benefits, so most will be free or a very low cost. They could lead to new skills or improve outdated ones - IT is a good example.

Voluntary work can increase self esteem, which is often low in people with mental health problems. Again, it can improve skills, and it can also lead to a recent reference when applying for paid work. Many employers look favourably on volunteering, as it shows commitment.

She could also ask her doctor for a referral to the mental health team for further support, and to the relevant hospital team that deals with her mobility problems. Would physiotherapy or occupational therapy help to delay any worsening of her condition? Are there any aids that could help her?

She may need support for her children if she has ongoing mental and physical problems - are her children young carers? If they are, Social Services might be able to offer them support, and may be able to offer mum more help so that her children don't have to do as much. She should contact the disability team for advice.

Does she have any skills that could lead to employment? Can she refresh them in any way?

Although she has a number of problems, there will be good things in her life too. She needs to look at those and appreciate them, and where possible use them to build up a decent CV. She also needs to concentrate on her determination to get a step up on the housing ladder and use this to push her life forwards.