Can anyone suggest something I could do from home?

trace_567

I just want to thank everyone for their suggestions.

Ok a bit more about me. I don't really have many hobbies, those I do have are pretty much reading, my computer (I self taught how to use it and am now fairly competent on it), and I do still have an interest in the beauty industry although very rusty now.

I live in a 1 bed council flat, so a home business probably would be pretty problematic as its usual for home beauty therapists to have a room in there home that they then set up as a salon. If I was to go back to the beauty therapy I would definitely need to refresh my skills as I have done no treatments in the last 10 years. I trained in manicures/pedicures, standard facials, body massage, aromatherapy massage, waxing (eyebrows, legs, underarms, bikini), make-up (although was never confident in this area). Sadly I never qualified in everything as in the last months of the course I become ill.

Last year I started an Open University course on writing fiction. It was a 3 month course and my intention had been to do that as the first, then go on to the much longer course after. Unfortunately though when I had been doing it for about a month my grandma died. I then fell really behind, I'd already started to get behind before that, then after I just couldn't concentrate on it at all. The course was of a very high standard in comparison to one I had received from the Writers beauro that I returned. But I did find the work on the OU course very hard going. The course was supposed to take only a few hours a week, I was finding it took twice the time they told you. One of my friends started a different course with them as well, and she also felt that the workload was far greater than was suggested, also her sister tried one and felt the same way.
There were one or two sections in the longer course I was really interested in and were the main reasons for starting with the OU in the first place. But I know I just wouldn't manage the workload involved for the entire course, unfortunately you can't just choose to do a couple of sections.

I have had thoughts and made an attempt at writing an autobiography. However I only managed 6 chapters before having a meltdown with it. I guess it was a combination of depression, and having to write about the past, which is pretty depressing, didn't help. So although one day I'd like to finish it, right now I think it could do me more harm than good.

The reason I wanted to write the autobiography was because I feel there are things concerning eating disorders that are never addressed enough. I wanted to do something very different from what’s already out there. In recent years there have been a vast increase on books for eating disorders, both in autobiographies and factual books. I could see no point in basically doing what’s already out there, and it needs to be something new and different. I've read far too many books over the years, and always felt they were lacking in things.

I did consider maybe going down the route of a website in order to address what I feel has been missing. I can't really go into much detail as well, its my idea and obviously if I want to pursue it I don't want it copied. Both ideas of either autobiography type book, or a website are not about making money. I'm more interested in getting the info out there than earning from it. But a website for instance would definitely have to pay for itself somehow.
I'm not very good at making websites, I have tried but wasn't a lot of cop to be honest. If I did it I'd want it to be very professional looking, have a proper URL that people could actually find etc, not just a page done using free web space that will never be found.

I have had a little look at Slice the pie and thought I might give it a go, as there’s no harm trying it out.

I have looked on the Beat website to see what voluntary jobs they have. I did like the sound of being a moderator type thing for their message boards. I’m not overly confident on the phone for doing helpline jobs, although they offer those from home too. There maybe one problem with trying to join Beat though. My psychiatrist is completely obsessed with "the eating disorder" I no longer have. He seems to think I still have it, even though I’ve been healthy in that respect for a few years now. For Beat I have to prove to them so doctor backing, that I have been ok for 2 years.
Sorry yet again another huge post from me. Just been trying to answer everyone’s suggestions as best as possible.

alfiemama

Hi Trace
I work from home and I think it would be something you could be good at.
I am not advertising mods as you will need to apply direct.
But I have a paid job from home for a charity (like I said you would need to research on the net and contact them)
But basically I ring people and ask them if they would take raffle tickets etc.
I get paid by the hour and have all my work entitlements, like sick pay, maternity pay, holiday pay etc.
I work 12 hours a week which can be worked from 4pm until 9pm mon/fri and Sat all day.
I just do 2 hours in the eve and 2 on the Sat.
Hope this helps you. also please do not be put of by your condition as it is a charity they are very accomodating to people with any form of disability or health probs.

try Marie Curie and RBIB (I know that they do this sort of work) I also remember getting an email once from someone setting up a biz where she works on behalf of all the charities but you had to have 2 hours min where you could work solidyly through the day and with 2 little ones I couldnt do this. I will have a search and see if I can find the info and pm you.
Good look hun

destiny_star2006

would like this info also alfie if you dont mind

red_devil

whats the website for beat?

trace_567

http://www.b-eat.co.uk/Home
Thats the website for beat.

ali1972

trace_567 wrote: »

There were one or two sections in the longer course I was really interested in and were the main reasons for starting with the OU in the first place. But I know I just wouldn't manage the workload involved for the entire course, unfortunately you can't just choose to do a couple of sections.

Just a thought... I did an OU degree a while back and noticed that in every edition of Sesame (the OU newspaper) there was a roaring trade in people selling and buying individual units from the courses second hand. Maybe you could get the course material for the few sections you fancied and work at them at your own pace. I think there was a "Wanted" section where you can say which bit of which course you'd like. Better still you might even get it for a steal on ebay, if your funds permit.

hummy

Just thought i'd add my comments. Since you mention that writing is one of the things you like why not be a freelancer and see if there are any projects/work that interest you on sites like elance, scriptlance and getafreelancer. There is always a continous stream of writing work people want done on these sites. I'm sure i saw one about food and eating the toher day although didn't pay too much attention to it since it's not something i am too interested in. I actually put up a couple of ebook projects on these sites as well although not on the subjects you mention. You don't need any references to start but you may need to supply some work samples to people for them to choose you as a writer. As well as writing projects there are also data entry jobs and research projects on these sites. I use these sites quite frequently but only to get jobs done not to actually do the jobs. I think they are free to join for someone wanting to take on projects and most of the time you are covered by an escrow agreement so you would get your money without any problems. Hope that helps.

smitapabari

would like this info also alfie if you dont mind.

Thanks

atomicsuzy

:j Hi, just joined today. Decided saving money is the new going out.

Anyone can work from home but you need to find something that will fit around your life, and not the other way around. 8 years ago I found myself house bound (2 small babies!) on income support (absent husband) and wondering where I had gone wrong. I needed to work from home, I had no money and very little space. I knew I didn't want to work for pennies, and I wanted to be my own boss.

I got out my ironing board, my iron, and a clothes rail. Stuck some cards in newsagents, and got a FREE one line ad in both Thomson Local & Yellow pages. As long as you don't intend to change your phone number for a year and you don't mind people coming to your door, you're all set. Providing you don't live out in the middle of nowhere you do not need to drive. Most companies offer collection and delivery services but may have restrictive opening hours.

:T If you are prepared to have trading hours to suit people travelling to and from work you will find they are quite happy to drop off and collect themselves. I hope this is of some interest. If anyone would like any tips let me know.