Need help with my father (Bad times)

welshlad22

Hey people, my father is struggling to find work at the moment, and with the debt he's running into this is really putting strain on him. He's lost a lot of weight and I am concerned.

At 52 there is not a lot of support out there (least not to my knowledge anyway) what sort of support is available. What courses could he go on to improve chances of finding work? He said he's applied for over 47 jobs and heard back from none of them.

Me on the other hand I'm currently in the process of getting a trade through college but I can't see me finishing the course due to this financial hardship. I drive to college and I'm really struggling to get there because of petrol. Anyway I'm willing to go back into work just to bring some money in and help my father out, I'm 23 and equipped with a few construction tickets so I can find work a lot easier than he can.

He works in the IT industry, offices stuff of that nature. He's not a construction person like myself.

What can I do to help him? One parent I have and I wont allow him to suffer because I'm back in college.

Dunroamin

Encourage him to seek help with writing a modern CV and in tailoring this to the sort of jobs he's applying for.

Whilst I don't think that you should necessarily give up your college course, I do think that you should be working part time and splitting food and utility bills with him 50/50.

welshlad22

Dunroamin wrote: »

Encourage him to seek help with writing a modern CV and in tailoring this to the sort of jobs he's applying for.

Whilst I don't think that you should necessarily give up your college course, I do think that you should be working part time and splitting food and utility bills with him 50/50.

He says he has a CV put together which he has sent out to a load of different vacancys.

I did have a part time job right after I started college but then got laid off. I do get a grant and I been waiting on that to come through. Basically I've given myself an ultimatum because this has gone on for too long now. Either get this grant and carry on or leave college and go back to work.

What sort of courses/support is available out there for a man of his age?

Takeaway_Addict

has he made sure he is on the correct benefits and might be worth looking at the SOA to see if he can cut back.

Janey7

Age UK have got some resources that may be helpful: http://www.ageuk.org.uk/work-and-learning/looking-for-work/

Whenever I was unemployed I did voluntary work (even if it was just one Saturday morning a fortnight for a couple of months), it's something to put on the CV and show prospective employers you are still doing things and developing skills/experience even if not in paid work/on a formal course. Plus it hopefully will keep his spirits up - it can be very depressing to be stuck in the house all day every day applying for jobs, whilst most of your friends are at work.

welshlad22

He's told me he's currently on JSA, what does SOA mean? Sorry if it's a silly question.

I know he has mild arthritis so any physical work is a 'no no' wonder if there is any benefits he is entitled to other than JSA?

I would really love to help him out with work but I can't do nothing until I'm in employment myself. It should be him on here and not me, but he doesn't know I'm on here asking around.

Jobseeeker

If he's getting JSA he must visit the job centre so can they not advise him of courses etc? Are his IT qualifications out of date now?

Does your father own his home or rent? if he rents he may be entitled to some housing benefit. If he is a home owner (still paying mortgage) he could get help with mortgage interest.

welshlad22

Jobseeeker wrote: »

If he's getting JSA he must visit the job centre so can they not advise him of courses etc? Are his IT qualifications out of date now?

Does your father own his home or rent? if he rents he may be entitled to some housing benefit. If he is a home owner (still paying mortgage) he could get help with mortgage interest.

I remember him going on a IT course a few years ago, since then he attempted to work for himself but that's gone down hill. He told me they've offered him silly courses like for example the CSCS card which is a safety card for construction sites. I know the job centre are useless because I've been there myself. They offer you any job just to get you off their systems.

He rents a house with a housing association. Gwalia in Wales.

ohreally

welshlad22 wrote: »

They offer you any job just to get you off their systems.

Have they offered him a job?

Takeaway_Addict

Statement of affairs....income and outgoings and making sure its cut right down to the bare minimum.

nearlyrich

I am 52 and I know I could still get a job, don't write him off as old he has a few working years left yet. I am not being unsympathetic I have a few health issues but still work full time in a demanding role.

Good CV, skills audit and a positive attitude can work wonders.