For thinking there’s no hope for me

I'd you can write an op like that, you can get an admin/call centre job.

Well done! Thete are so many benefits to having a job, including social and mental health benefits. The financial benefits may not sound much now, but they are accumulative the more you work; you will get access to better paid jobs in time and you are also building additional retirement income that future you will be very grateful of. You are also setting your kids a good example that will hopefully rub-off as a strong work ethic for their futures too.

You can be proud of yourself. Best of luck for the future.

Well done - and in the long term, a far more financially safe decision to work and earn your own money than be totally reliant on benefits. Really respect your determination.

a bit of an aside, but your post does also highlight the fundamental wrong in our system which means that working people can end up only marginally better off than not working. It’s crazy that with all the deductions you’re not a lot better off.

but thank goodness for people like you who look beyond that and are determined to forge ahead. I hope things continue to go well for you

Have you been to your local job centre for help?

There are literally so many jobs you could walk into without experience. Supermarkets, retail, care work.

McDonald’s are a surprisingly good employer with brilliant opportunities to progress. They promote from within (most of their senior management started out working the fryers) and will even fund staff doing a degree as they work.

Agencies that provide temporary workers might be a good starting point. You might be placed in a variety of positions and you could find yourself employed in a very suitable area.

Do not put yourself down. Your skills are very varied: caring, scheduling tasks, budgeting, co-ordinating people, smoothing over disputes, listening and remembering what was said and by whom. These are all very useful skills in the business world and all part of everyday life.

I’ve said yanbu because I think “career” is stretching it, but “work” is very achievable. I’m sure there’s a lot you could do.

Can you drive?
do you have a pass at gcse maths and English?
are you limited to school hours for work? Could you work nights (is older dc old enough to babysit?)

How are your IT skills? Could you brush up on them, I know a lot of colleges offer short courses in IT, Customer service for people on UC.

What would you like to do?
With Xmas coming up lots of shops especially supermarkets are taking on staff. I’d apply for absolutely everything and hope to get something, even if it isn’t ideal, aim to do it for 6 months so that you have a decent recent reference and get used to being in work, it will feel exhausting at first. From there it will be much easier to look for something you’re more interested in.

what are your best qualities? What are you good at? Enthusiasm and being personable will go a long way. Sounds like you have caring experience. Many schools are crying out for decent learning support assistants. Could you set up as a childminder? Have you considered being a foster carer if you have a spare room?

OP when I had no work experience and limited school qualifications I started volunteering at a charity shop chain. I showed them I was serious by volunteering 4 days a week for 4 hours per day, so essentially like a part-time job, and when a vacancy came up they literally just offered me the job without needing an interview or anything because they already knew my work ethic was great and I knew how all their systems worked.

I worked up to being a shop manager in that role and the experience I got there led to me applying for public sector roles and I now have a stable career with progression opportunities.

It's daunting when you've been out of work but try not to dwell too much on the fear. Put yourself out there and someone will snap you up. And once you have some employment experience you'll instantly have more opportunity to apply for other jobs.

My other suggestion is to apply to temping agencies. They can build up your experience and stints of work for a specific company often lead to opportunities for permanent employment.

Of course you're not too old. Firstly you can get a job, you could work for yourself cleaning or dog walking or childminding. Find some free courses online to help with your CV. Volunteer at the job bank. Contact local care homes and find out if they're recruiting, you've lot's of experience. Nothing is stopping you.

You might start with a Christmas temporary job. There are lots about at the moment. Having some recent work on your cv, even if it's temporary, will increase your chances of getting something permanent. Also, talk to a work coach at the Jobcentre about upskilling courses. They're free.

Go into a profession where no experience necessary and training is provided …
You will need certain GCSE’s of C and above

Are you getting rejected for retail and care work? struggling to see why there is no hope form what you’ve said

You could try a job on care, or retail (specially this close to Christmas), or set up a cleaning company either domestic or foreign office spaces, pet sitting/walking jobs.

At this time of year shops are recruiting for Christmas. In my experience a lot of the time Christmas temps are kept on and made permanent and even if they didn't you'll have something in your pocket, a little experience under you belt at the busiest time of year and references. Volunteering won't give you any money but it may put you at an advantage when you go for paid work as it shows initiative and a willingness to work. Try The Open University if you want to train, they offer flexible or part-time studying and there are certain courses that you can get a second student tuition fee loan for. This link shows you the list of qualifications you can get a second loan for: https://www.open.ac.uk/courses/fees-and-funding/equivalent-qualifications/

You're only 43! You could be working for half your life again before you retire.

I agree with pp, this is exactly the scenario the Job Centre should be helping with, tbh I think it's a bit shit they've just left you languish on UC without pushing you to think about developing yourself.

Pps have suggested retail and now is the exact time of your shops will be looking for extra staff for Christmas. I'd try applying everywhere in your local area - ideally they'll keep you on after but if not at least it's good experience.

Have you had any advice from the jobcentre?
Volunteer somewhere, at interviews you'll be asked to tell them about a time you dealt with a difficult customer/met deadlines or whatever.

You would get a job in retail no problem. Also care homes are crying out for applicants. Minimum wage is now £12.21 an hour, so would make a real difference to your circumstances. Good luck!

Cleaning? Pretty flexible and decent pay