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Help with ideas for a job my husband could do....
Parsimonia
Posts: 255 Forumite
Hi all
The DWP in its wisdom is kicking hubby off incapacity benefit. He's on the final stage of his appeal, but it's likely he'll be refused again.
He'll then have to move to JSA, but I don't think we'll get any actual money paid to us, as I work full time and earn a decent salary.
Hubby would love to work, but finding a suitable job is difficult.
Things that limit his options:
He has recurring brachial (arm) aneuryms, which mean he's under strict instructions to use his arms as little as possible Therefore he couldn't accept a job where he has to lift, stretch, pull, push, carry or move anything above about 1 kg in weight. So that rules out delivery jobs, shelf-stacking jobs and lots of retail jobs.
He's had a kidney transplant and is on immuno-suppression medication, which means that ideally he should avoid really germy environments (hospitals and schools etc).
He has recurring skin cancers as a result of his immuno-suppression medication, so ideally he ought to work indoors (though for personal preference he'd love to work outdoors).
He has no white collar skills, and he would be totally and utterly hopeless in any form of office environment. He is a practical man, not an academic or intellectual one - he would really struggle to do anything that involved lots of mental effort.
He stutters, which means he hates to use the telephone.
He's very very shy, but is better communicating face to face than by phone. Any job where he'd need to use a phone would be very difficult for him.
He'd be a complete failure at any kind of sales job
His interests/talents/skills
He loves dogs...but couldn't be a dog walker because of the lead pulling on his arms. He could probably do some form of mild kennel cleaning/mucking out though, and he could probably do some form of dog grooming of smaller dogs (though he'd need to be trained).
He's very musical. He plays several instruments and his main hobby is listening to music. He's very very knowledgeable about his favourite genres (ska, reggae, soul, northern soul) and would make a great DJ if he wasn't chronically shy. Ditto busking.
He loves nature - he likes walking etc. (but needs to always keep all body parts covered with UV resistant clothing or factor 50+ sunblock).
He can type and he's computer literate, but not to the extent that he could function well in an office environment.
He can drive and has a full clean driving licence.
He's a great cook and has a basic food hygiene certificate, but no other catering qualifications. When I say he's a great cook, I mean a really great cook!!!
He's a trained bookprinter (litho-machine minder), but can't now do that type of work because of his arm problems. But it does mean he has an enhanced knowledge of colours, inks, etc.
He can stand ok...his legs are fine, it's his arms that cause the problems. So any job that involved standing would be fine.
He'd be ok in a little coffee bar or something similar, as long as he didn't need to lift stacks of heavy plates or anything like that. He couldn't work in a bar if it meant him having to pull pints or change barrels etc.
He'd be fine working in a record store, as long as he didn't need to do much stock handling. But jobs like that are hard to come by.
He's super reliable, very modest, quiet and polite, very well-mannered, and very very kind...
Can you think of any job categories that would be suitable for him?
The DWP in its wisdom is kicking hubby off incapacity benefit. He's on the final stage of his appeal, but it's likely he'll be refused again.
He'll then have to move to JSA, but I don't think we'll get any actual money paid to us, as I work full time and earn a decent salary.
Hubby would love to work, but finding a suitable job is difficult.
Things that limit his options:
He has recurring brachial (arm) aneuryms, which mean he's under strict instructions to use his arms as little as possible Therefore he couldn't accept a job where he has to lift, stretch, pull, push, carry or move anything above about 1 kg in weight. So that rules out delivery jobs, shelf-stacking jobs and lots of retail jobs.
He's had a kidney transplant and is on immuno-suppression medication, which means that ideally he should avoid really germy environments (hospitals and schools etc).
He has recurring skin cancers as a result of his immuno-suppression medication, so ideally he ought to work indoors (though for personal preference he'd love to work outdoors).
He has no white collar skills, and he would be totally and utterly hopeless in any form of office environment. He is a practical man, not an academic or intellectual one - he would really struggle to do anything that involved lots of mental effort.
He stutters, which means he hates to use the telephone.
He's very very shy, but is better communicating face to face than by phone. Any job where he'd need to use a phone would be very difficult for him.
He'd be a complete failure at any kind of sales job
His interests/talents/skills
He loves dogs...but couldn't be a dog walker because of the lead pulling on his arms. He could probably do some form of mild kennel cleaning/mucking out though, and he could probably do some form of dog grooming of smaller dogs (though he'd need to be trained).
He's very musical. He plays several instruments and his main hobby is listening to music. He's very very knowledgeable about his favourite genres (ska, reggae, soul, northern soul) and would make a great DJ if he wasn't chronically shy. Ditto busking.
He loves nature - he likes walking etc. (but needs to always keep all body parts covered with UV resistant clothing or factor 50+ sunblock).
He can type and he's computer literate, but not to the extent that he could function well in an office environment.
He can drive and has a full clean driving licence.
He's a great cook and has a basic food hygiene certificate, but no other catering qualifications. When I say he's a great cook, I mean a really great cook!!!
He's a trained bookprinter (litho-machine minder), but can't now do that type of work because of his arm problems. But it does mean he has an enhanced knowledge of colours, inks, etc.
He can stand ok...his legs are fine, it's his arms that cause the problems. So any job that involved standing would be fine.
He'd be ok in a little coffee bar or something similar, as long as he didn't need to lift stacks of heavy plates or anything like that. He couldn't work in a bar if it meant him having to pull pints or change barrels etc.
He'd be fine working in a record store, as long as he didn't need to do much stock handling. But jobs like that are hard to come by.
He's super reliable, very modest, quiet and polite, very well-mannered, and very very kind...
Can you think of any job categories that would be suitable for him?
Save £12k in 2014 - No. 153 - £1900/£9000
January NSD Challenge - 19/21 under target
February NSD Challenge - 22/20 - over target
March NSD Challenge - 19/14 - over target
April NSD Challenge - 0/16
YTD NSDs = 60
January NSD Challenge - 19/21 under target
February NSD Challenge - 22/20 - over target
March NSD Challenge - 19/14 - over target
April NSD Challenge - 0/16
YTD NSDs = 60
0
Comments
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is he not moving onto ESA or at least applying, hard to say but he might get it but then again it seems as long as you can breath people are getting put on JSA.
does he need to work for the money?
or is it just to keep busy/earn a bit extra?
are min wage jobs something he would consider or were you thinking or something a bit higher paid/skilled?
You have already mentioned a load of jobs he would be good for, but it's a matter of getting them, not so sure on the coffee shop if he is shy tho, same with a record shop.
what about pet sitting, having dogs overnight, might mean you helping walk them tho.
lolly pop man?
delivery driver0 -
The trouble is that most jobs require all the things he can't do - and his knowledge/specialisms, while interesting, are negated by what will quickly become essential functions he can't do in the workplace.
The straw I might clutch at would be to take his musical interest, in particular northern soul, and see if that could be turned into a self-employed income by setting up a website for northern soul enthusiasts and organising all-nighters (where he could organise people/things, but employ people to do the physical work etc).
Maybe team up with some others with video skills and produce some northern soul dancing tutorial videos for sale, selling northern soul memorabilia and creating new themed products.
NS is having a revival at the moment, which is why I've picked that one.0 -
Sounds like his best bet would be to get something part time in coffee shop and see how he gets on. Maybe he could volunteer at a hospital to work in a cafe to see what he is capable of. They would most certainly be very accommodating of his limitations and he could gain experience and confidence. Bet he'd love it. Maybe he'd move on to work somewhere where he can do a bit of cooking eventually.:j Trytryagain FLYLADY - SAYE £700 each month Premium Bonds £713 Mortgage Was £100,000@20/6/08 now zilch 21/4/15:beer: WTL - 52 (I'll do it 4 MUM)0
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TBH anyone who is computer literate can become MS Office literate within a week. A computer + internet tutorials = sorted. Would open up a lot of jobs, office job =/= mentally taxing.
Retail is another biggy, looking at supermarkets. The big stores absorb a lot of people who have issues working in certain areas without problem. You can be on checkouts and not have to do any heavy lifting.0 -
Maybe he could volunteer at hospital radio too there maybe roles he can do other than dj that are suitable despite being shy.:j Trytryagain FLYLADY - SAYE £700 each month Premium Bonds £713 Mortgage Was £100,000@20/6/08 now zilch 21/4/15:beer: WTL - 52 (I'll do it 4 MUM)0
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Your husband has a wonderful list of skills and qualities. Whilst his health issues will make working very challenging, it can be possible to work with significant health issues. I do myself and although I get down and frustrated at times with the difficulties, the positives outweigh the negatives overall.
The two very useful skills that struck me in your list were his cooking and driving. Would it be possible for your hubby to run some kind of food/ catering business from home. He could cook and deliver?0 -
Could he teach people to play musical instruments?
I'm a bit confused byHe can type and he's computer literate, but not to the extent that he could function well in an office environment.
I think that when you say "computer literate", you don't mean exactly the same thing that I'd mean. (I think computer literate people would be just fine in an office). Can you elaborate a bit more about what you do mean, and why your husband's computer skills prevent him from working in an office? Is it possible for a bit of training to take him to the point where he could do that?0 -
Thanks so much for your suggestions - really helpful! Keep 'em coming! I'll address each question in turn...is he not moving onto ESA or at least applying, hard to say but he might get it but then again it seems as long as you can breath people are getting put on JSA.
does he need to work for the money? No, we can manage just about without his incapacity benefit, but it would certainly help!
or is it just to keep busy/earn a bit extra? He's quite isolated, so it would be good for his confidence and mental health.
are min wage jobs something he would consider or were you thinking or something a bit higher paid/skilled? Yes, he'd consider minimum wage.
You have already mentioned a load of jobs he would be good for, but it's a matter of getting them, not so sure on the coffee shop if he is shy tho, same with a record shop.
what about pet sitting, having dogs overnight, might mean you helping walk them tho. Just a bit worried about the pressure on his arms if he had to walk big dogs...
lolly pop man? Yes, that would suit him!
delivery driver We thought of that, but it would have to be really light delivieres!!
Pasturesnew, the Northern Soul suggestions are great - thank you! We go to lots of events organised by others, but didn't think of organising one ourselves. Definitely something to think about - thank you!
Shop-to-drop, both good ideas, thank you! I work full time in a big teaching hospital, and I could take him to work with me! If volunteering improved his employability it would definitely be worthwhile.
Denning, I think there's a difference between being able to potter around on a computer in the stress-free environment of home, but that's a world away from trying to type fast enough etc. to be a successful office employee. As for checkouts, we considered that, but his vascular surgeon advised against it as it would be a cumulative stress for his arms to pass the goods through.
Prudent - I like that idea! Thank you!
Annisele - he's certainly good enough to teach others, but his shyness would be an inhibitor. I'm all for pushing people out of their comfort zones, but on the other hand I need to be realistic about how limiting my husband's shyness really is.
That's also the reason why he'd struggle in an office - he's a competent computer user if left to his own devices, but if he had a manager breathing down his neck or he had to meet productivity targets for data input etc he'd go completely to pot.
I hate the way I'm making him sound hopeless and pathetic as it's doing him a real disservice as he has real skills and talents to offer and he has a super personality, but apart from his physical limitations, his shyness really is a debilitating factor and we'd be silly to disregard it as in the right job he'd be fabulous, but in the wrong one he'd be hopeless and it would knock his confidence even more.Save £12k in 2014 - No. 153 - £1900/£9000
January NSD Challenge - 19/21 under target
February NSD Challenge - 22/20 - over target
March NSD Challenge - 19/14 - over target
April NSD Challenge - 0/16
YTD NSDs = 600 -
Receptionists in any sort of workplace need basic computer skills and little more. Shyness doesn't matter either as you just have to be polite and not chatty. A lot of admin job don't need any more than basic computer skills. I used to do university admin, it was easy enough.0
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Office jobs don't all involve evil managers breathing down your neck about targets - mine certainly doesn't. There's not a huge amount of data entry work around anymore, and a lot of admin jobs involve other things.
This suggestion depends very much on the state of the employment market in your area (if there's high unemployment it probably won't work). Could he set up a meeting with an office temping agency, explain what he can do, and see if they have any suggestions?0
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