Supported Work? Very worried about future prospects.

[JayARC]

Has anybody got any experience of supported work for people with a history of mental health problems in Surrey? Surrey and Borders Trust don't have a user employment programme, like they do at St George's in Tooting, which would be ideal. I guess I feel worried about trying to get into any work where it isn't taken on board that I have a history (long) of bipolar illness and really want to be supported. I don't know what job I want to do - used to do admin after getting ill at university (didn't complete law degree) and it bored me to tears, and actually contributed to my becoming unwell.

I've lost sight of who I am. I have a 7 year old daughter, am single, on ESA currently though shortly probably to be put on Jobseekers. I am depressed, on Sertraline. I realise there are few jobs for anyone, let alone someone with a rubbish cv. I tried a job at a shop in February and wasn't well enough to do it. I want a plan, medium term. I fear never being off benefits, ever, and not even having enough contributions to qualify for a pension. I just see a long road of poverty, really. I know it doesn't have to be like that in that people get out of this situation, I also know my depression is talking and I can't be as useless and worthless as I feel. Possibly. I don't know what to do. I want my daughter to be proud of me, and I want to work in something appropriate. I did some mental health voluntary work - set up a pilot which went very well and am involved in the future of that in our trust, though there are no prospects...I can't drive, school hours jobs? Childcare? I am just so muddled and lost. I guess I am just on here for some support. Several people in RL have said it's not over when you're 34, of course it's not, and logically I suppose that makes sense. But then I get images of myself not being able to pay for heating when I'm 65 and it all overwhelms me again. I used to be clever, and have an attention span, and now it all is gone. I know the priority is my getting less depressed, but I don't think I can get that much better unless I have a plan for how to change my circumstances. I was meant to have a great job, great life. I made some stupid decisions, had lots of bad luck, have been very ill, have a gorgeous daughter and am terrified.

[JayARC]

anyone?

[JayARC]

Gosh, maybe I wasn't making any sense, or maybe noone has anything to suggest...sorry.

[scottishmummy]

talk to an OT, job centre plus
ask about supported employment, graded support into work
did quick google search for you and also surrey supported employment

and good luck
and best wishes to maintain recovery and get where you want to be

[fedupandtired]

I don't know if I can help much but I did just want to say that although things may look bleak now it is possible to live a half decent life with bipolar. Admittedly I can no longer do the stressful jobs that I used to strive on but I can work, albeit part time due to childcare.

Am I right on thinking the only medication you're on is an antidepressant? If so then that needs looking at because that won't be helping. With bipolar you need to be on a mood stabiliser and antidepressants should only be used with caution. Certainly used alone they're likely to make you feel worse and not better.

I know you said the admin role bored you but sometimes baby steps are what's needed. Try for a job which you know you won't find too stressful and then go from there. You'll probably feel a lot better about yourself doing any job rather than none at all.

But first - your meds!

Good luck!

[Chocattack]

I asked my cpn for help with finding alternative work/career and he referred me to the Shaw Trust as I didn't have a clue about what I wanted to do (still don't if I'm honest but I feel less overwhelmed -most of the time- that I will get there eventually). They've been great! I'm very well supported in getting advice, help with writing cvs etc and have been on a course about setting goals and improving self esteem. Like you I am single, with a school age daughter, don't drive and worry about my employability with having to work around school hols etc. My plan at the moment is to undertake volunteering roles in a number of different organisations that I have an interest in (eg CAB, domestic violence charities etc) to get a feel of what types of employment is out there (also will stop a gap appearing in my cv). I appreciate that you might not be in a position to do this - I don't know what the implications are in terms of esa or job seekers. Also, your local MIND may have a support worker that could assist in a similar way to the Shaw Trust. Good luck!

[JayARC]

Thank you all so much for writing.
I am also on two mood stabilisers as well as the Sertraline, fedupandtired, but thank you, forgot to mention them.
I am encouraged by chocattack's experience, I really hope somehow I get some support in this. I am going to see a charity on Thursday called Esra in Redhill, which specialises in helping people with mental health problems back into work, fingers crossed. If that doesn't work I will mention the Shaw Trust to my CPN. Also will remember Surrey Supported Employment, had found them on Google actually but not got any further.
I know it has to be babysteps, but I am frightened of how I can manage work and my daughter and childcare. I guess I shouldn't be fretting about that step as it will be a while away - probably the voluntary route first will be safer and much more likely. God knows who'd employ me anyway. I keep thinking how will I get my daughter home from a childminder without being able to drive, but I guess I ought to focus on the very short term worries. Not least ESA and whether or not I will qualify to stay on it - will have to appeal if they think I am fit for work right now, because I am not, which my CPN agrees with and can hopefully support me in that. It all just feels so scary. Also with the voluntary stuff do they pay for your transport? By the time I travel somewhere and work I'll have to turn round and come back again, transport is so hard here, so I'd have to have childcare for even voluntary stuff which my ESA certainly wouldn't cover - it barely covers now. God, I don't know, seem to be running round in frantic circles in my head. So scared.

[JayARC]

I have a meeting with Esra tomorrow, as I said. Trying not to pin too much hope on it.
It seems I am scared of my own shadow - told my neighbour yesterday I didn't feel worthy of Radio 4 as I've not achieved anything, and it reminds me of where I should be in life....God. Mumsnet scares me, it all scares me, think it's all a bit much. Trying not to give up.

[Germolene]

Good luck JayARC - how did it go yesterday?
I sympathise with your situation. You clearly want to move forwards, I know someone diagnosed with schizophrenia in a remote area of Surrey, who I wish had more of this desire to work out a plan. I hope you do find the right support and opportunities. It is scary putting yourself out there, a brave thing to do and hopefully worth it. You are right about taking baby steps and take each day as it comes. Training or vol positions might be useful to consider, as chocattack mentions.

[summer111]

JayARC, I hope your appointment with Esra was helpful. I think you are doing really well thinking of your future and a recovery from your mental health condition. Taking things slowly is key-the suggestion of volunteering is great as it enables you to develop work skills, develop your confidence and allows you to assess how ready you are for work. Volunteering doesn't 't affect your benefits and should be considered part of your therapy. Organisations taking on volunteers sometimes will pay for travel, a lot depends on the role. You may be eligible for some sort of travel/bus pass on account of your disability. Ask your CPN about this. You should also ask to be referred to the OT on the team as they can advise you regarding the employment providers in your area. If you are due for reassessment of your ESA, provide recent written evidence of your inability to return to work at present. Your CPN/psychiatrist can write a letter of support for you. You can also call into the Jobcentre and ask to see an ESA advisor. They may refer you to your local Work Programme provider if you are awarded ESA for less than 6 months. If you are placed on JSA you can see the DEA (disbility employement advisor) at the Jobcentre as an alternative.

Good luck :)

[JayARC]

Thank you both. I think the suggestion of volunteering is a good one - the lady at Esra agreed. I'm not well enough to jump into paid work now, and there isn't any, but you are right to say that it will build confidence, hopefully, and be a less loaded plan. I would have to get transport paid, couldn't afford to do it otherwise. Surrey and Borders Trust are going ahead with future of the pilot I started, and that seems like the best place to start asking, since they really like the idea and I could help work on it. I have a couple of firm supporters there. Esra was ok, but I guess I was hoping for a miracle, along the lines of "I have the perfect thing!" I am going to see the OT who's been working on my project on Monday, and we are going to talk about how best to ask for volunteering.
In terms of the ESA, I plan to appeal against the decision they will surely make if almost all mental health applications I've read about are to be believed, and will get support from my CPN and psychiatrist about this. I have a long history, plus started a job earlier in the year to dramatically relapse soon after. I refuse to set myself up to fail again, and there must be a way.
I am trying very hard to think in terms of baby steps. It's tough, because I am worried about my entire future, and of course my daughter and how I can't provide for her in the way that I would dearly like to. But I can't change facts, and this is an illness and a situation that needs to be handled properly, or, worst case scenario, I'll get so ill she'll have to go and stay with her grandparents or godparents til I'm better, and the repercussions on her are enormous and must be avoided at all costs.
There seems a glimmer of hope. Sertraline is surely working some now. Working on the glimmer, and really appreciate all of your support.

[Chocattack]

You definitely sound more positive JayARC. I do still have times when I get negative about the work situation - I did again recently when I started thinking that it's almost the summer hols and like you wouldn't be able to do volunteering unless they paid for my childcare. So it was reassuring to hear what summer111 said and I'll definitely enquire now. The Surrey and Borders Trust going ahead with the pilot is fantastic and yes it is definitely the first place to try! I think it would be good for you - good luck.