Work options

[Isittoolate4me]

Name changed for this. Been HCA for most of my working life. Now early 50s, and am finding the physical nature of the work too much. Basically, I'm very tired!
I'd like to change what I do, but no idea where to start. I'm part time at the moment so I have time to study if need be. I'm educated to GCSE level. I have no experience at all of office type work, but I would so love to do something that involves less time on my feet. I believe I have the intelligence to retrain for something else, and have some savings to put into it, but not thousands.
I'm looking around online and making a few notes. Proofreading holds some appeal so I am considering that, but I just wondered if anyone has any other suggestions (Mumsnet is so good for that!)
Thanks!

[Isittoolate4me]

Hopeful bump, as it has slipped down the board already

[Gregwiggle]

How about a public facing role at the council? You are presumably very good with people. Where I work there are things like SEN helplines for parents which seem to have quite a jobs now and then. Or something in public health? Also you can do apprenticeships in admin and business administration so you needn't let your lack of experience stop you if you want to pursue something like this.

[Gregwiggle]

Also you could try posting this in the back to work or employment sections too

[Isittoolate4me]

Thank you @Gregwiggle that is helpful. I wasn't sure if I'm too old for an apprenticeship but I will look into it.
Do you know where councils advertise their job vacancies?
So many of the job vacancies i see are healthcare or refuse collectors. I think I'm looking in the wrong places!

[BookWorm45]

Do you have skills in using MS Office including Excel, Powerpoint, Teams, Outlook ? This would be absolutely essential for any office based job I can think of.

If you don't, there are lots of free courses on the web or "how to" videos and you could use some of your current available time to polish / improve your skills as a starting point ?

[Isittoolate4me]

@Gregwiggle

Also you could try posting this in the back to work or employment sections too

Thank you, I will

[Isittoolate4me]

@BookWorm45 I did free online courses for those several years ago, but have not needed them since so I'm very rusty.
I think maybe this is a project for the next year or so.
I feel too young to be put out to pasture, but being on my feel all day is killing me!
Thank you for your input

[Gregwiggle]

I am doing an apprenticeship at 43 in a group mixed across the ages. It's definitely too late and nobody bats an eyelid

My council advertises in its vacanies section but you could also contact HR to find out how they recruit their temps as this is how I started (and many others at my council). Some council admin sections rely heavily on temps e.g. school admissions or transport because it is seasonal, so it's a good way to get experience. Adult services roles may be a good place too look given your HCA experience.

[Gregwiggle]

Sorry, I meant it's definitely NOT too late typing quickly hence the typos!

[Isittoolate4me]

That's really useful @Gregwiggle thanks so much!
Have you changed your career path too? Best of luck with your apprenticeship!

[butterfly990]

Why don't you see if there are any NHS vacancies in some of the out patient clinics or reception roles x

[Gregwiggle]

No, I have just not really known what to do with myself for 20 years so bumbled along in various things. Then I joined the council and realised I liked what I was doing. But I also got to a point where I wanted some specific training in something, and it feels good to have training goals and it is also interesting to retrain. Good luck with it!

[Isittoolate4me]

@butterfly990

Why don't you see if there are any NHS vacancies in some of the out patient clinics or reception roles x

Yes good point. I've worked in private residential care homes so not been involved in the hospital side of things. I'm used to very small places. I might have a look at their job specs too, and figure out how I might update my computer skills for that.
Thanks !

[Isittoolate4me]

You too @Gregwiggle and thanks again!

[ilovesooty]

Have you considered applying for something like Co op funeral care? They offer apprenticeships alongside the work in the funeral homes.

[Isittoolate4me]

@ilovesooty

Have you considered applying for something like Co op funeral care? They offer apprenticeships alongside the work in the funeral homes.

I hadn't even thought of that. Could be my cup of tea. I've just googled co-op apprenticeship and lots of things came up.
I had no idea!
I've been stuck in the same job for years, and I've loved it until now. There's a whole new world out there. Thank you!