Life after benifits?

mandyboops1973

Hello

I am wondering if anybody could offer me some advice for returning to work after a long time claiming benefits, I have claimed disability living allowance/ESA for 8 year's.I stopped claiming ESA for a while due to inheriting some money and while i still have a disability which would limit the kind of work i could do, i really want to get back into work but i concerned about potential employers and my lack of work history for the past 8 year's. I have nothing to put on a CV etc.

Has anybody found them selves in a similar position? does anybody know of any charity's or organizations that would be of help to me? With such a long time out of work and somebody who also suffers from social anxiety etc this is a extremely daunting thing for me and any advise or words of comfort would really be a big help to me.

Thanks

Mandy.

Undervalued

The Richmond Fellowship specialise in helping people who have had mental health issues find work. Maybe worth a try?

xapprenticex

Yeah find an org that specialises in helping people in your situation. They will have links with employers that are willing to give people a chance.

DomRavioli

You're going to need some recent relevant experience. Why not volunteer? They give you a reference and recent experience, which is likely what any charity/org would say to you.

mandyboops1973

Undervalued wrote: »

The Richmond Fellowship specialise in helping people who have had mental health issues find work. Maybe worth a try?

Hello. Thank you for the recommendation unfortunately they are not local to me I am in the birmingham area, Does anybody know of any org's that could be of help?

xapprenticex wrote: »

Yeah find an org that specialises in helping people in your situation. They will have links with employers that are willing to give people a chance.

Hello there, do you know of any in the Birmingham area? I would really love to speak with somebody that can help me out,

DomRavioli wrote: »

You're going to need some recent relevant experience. Why not volunteer? They give you a reference and recent experience, which is likely what any charity/org would say to you.

This is something i would be more than happy to do, Do you know how this effects claiming benefits in the mean time? i am currently not claiming anything but within the next few weeks i need to make a new claim because my money is running very low and i will soon be into my overdraft and credit cards which i don't want.

If i were to volunteer to get some experience would i still be able to claim benefits during this time?

I am also not sure what benfit i should claim, JSA or ESA? I have some physical disablitys that limit the type of work i can do, i have arthritis in my hips and have recently had knee replacement surgery, I can't walk very far, or carry heavy things etc. From my experience with JSA many years ago they are not interested in what you decided you can or can not do you have to take anything, Which is what i belive ESA and the work related group is for? however i will require a sicknote from my GP to say i can't work and also i would like to do volentry work and not sure how that would effect things either?

ceegee

Ask your job centre for a referral to Remploy. Remploy help people with disabilities or health issues to get back into work. There is also the Shaw Trust.....ask at your job centre. Good luck!

Lioness_Twinkletoes

Consider a couple of evening classes or OU classes to brush up on your basic skills like English and Maths. That'll give you some confidence.

kingfisherblue

As well as work experience and a recent reference, volunteering shows commitment, the ability to work with others, and can help with social engagement, improving anxiety. Local charity shops are a good palce to start, or you could look on the website Do It, which lists charities and groups who are looking for volunteers.

jobbingmusician

Would any of the below be any use to you? Some of them offer more intensive help than you are likely to need, but it's worth exploring the site.

http://birminghammind.org/services/partnership-services/every-step-of-the-way-service/

http://birminghammind.org/services/partnership-services/esteem-team-2/

http://birminghammind.org/services/wellbeing-and-recovery-service/

http://birminghammind.org/services/wellbeing-hub/