Trying to find friends on zero hours contract

[WTFIsAGleepglorp]

I live nowhere where I come from and have no means to return 'home' and no family who could support me.

I am an atheist, gender critical, have no political affiliation and I have a zero hours contract, where I may have no hours one week and literally working all over the clock the next.

I can't afford to turn down work as it's so scarce.

I have no friends.

Literally none.

No one to call on for help, no one to sponsor me for walks, no one to go out with and no one to meet up with.

I have participated in a one off event (coincided with some 'down time) and received a call from someone at the social enterprise which organised it.

They're looking for volunteers to help run schemes and get involved with the local community.

Exactly the sort of thing I 'should' be doing to get out and meet people.

I've had to turn it down as my hours are so unpredictable that I can't guarantee that I can be available when they need me.

I am 'friends' with people on SM who are stuck well into political parties and religious groups.

They are getting ahead in local politics and are recognised both on a local and more widespread basis for their hard work.

There is someone who is trying to set up a feminist book club, but it's intersectional.

With time available , it's feast or famine.

I'm free today but won't be next weekend and that's the story of whichever day of the week it is.

Regular meet ups are not possible, I have no children, my life is too haphazard for pets and volunteering is out as I can't make regular days or times.

What do I do?

In yiur position I would join the volunteering scheme on the basis that you'll help when you can- it will also look good on a CV and perhaps help you to gain more steady employment? Also speak to your employers ton ee if there is any chance of more regular scheduling or even more advance rotas?
Also look around for another book club that suits better if that's your interest, or ankther volunteering opportunity. Check libraries and community centres for free events and be bold when you arrive by chatting to folk and exchanging numbers.

Good luck op!

Can you join a gym with a pool that's open from early morning til late night and has classes all through the day? Ours is like that and it means I can pop in any time I'm free and do something. I try to talk to everyone I meet there and have made some good friends, even though I don't do the same things every week. We sometimes go for coffee after a class but it's not set in stone and there's no pressure.

(If you're Herts/Cambs, DM me and I'll meet you for coffee )

What about any other voluntary roles? I work for a charity and we love 'ad-hoc' volunteers who help as and when they can. They help with events, befriending, skill sharing, data entry etc. Take a look at doit.org which lists thousands of voluntary roles.

In a town with no such amenities.

I can't afford to turn down work and a regular commitment, especially in the evenings would mean having to turn down shifts.

I'm 'free' today and tomorrow, but next week, I'm working.

Any commitment would mean having to miss weeks (sometimes 2 or 3 at a time) or miss work.

One book club (library) exists, but the hours are completely unsuitable.

I'll keep looking at the www.do-it.org site.

The two nearest me require drivers.

Maybe post on Mumsnet local for your area, to see if anyone wants to meet up?

In all honesty, you should find a better job! It's tying you up and stopping you from living the life you want.
Are you working to live or living for working?
Only you can change things!

Bizarrely, this is the only job that lets me 'pick and choose'.

One weekday, I have an evening class.

Last year, I had sewing, sign language, singing, Alexander Technique classes and a choir all packed into one day.

Now, focussed on a career path, I have an evening class for the same day. And nothing else.

All the other classes had changed their hours and the evening class coincides with choir.

I need to find an evening friendly job, but most jobs advertised round here are zero hours positions.

Round here I have seen drop in volunteer opportunities which look sociable, volunteering in the nature park, community farm, for gardening. People turn up on the day so if you can't go for several weeks nobody is let down. Are there any drop in volunteer opportunities near you?

The feminist book group sounds promising, again book groups are usually drop in. I think it's good to be open to people with different opinions to you, whether about religion, politics, gender. I am atheist and one of my close friends is very Christian. We generally talk about other things! My life would be poorer for not having her in it.

There are free drop in running clubs round here too, some set up informally on Facebook, others organised by a sports shop where they depart and finish. They are sociable and open to new runners. Or is there a Good Gym near you?

As you don't expect you work pattern to improve soon, I would focus on finding drop in activities where it doesn't matter if you attend very irregularly, even if they aren't your preferred interests/ types of people. Hopefully you would make friends in time and have people to text at short notice "are you free tomorrow?" when you aren't working

www.meetup.com

Loads of groups. Mostly free activities. Loads you can sign up for on the day when you suddenly find yourself free. Try out different groups and see which ones you fit in with.

I'm zero hours and have no problem finding something to do each day.

Thanks.

I have joined.

Board games, MLM presentations and piss ups are not my thing, but I'll keep looking.

I've joined two groups based in entirely different cities as meet ups where I live are just piss ups, MLMs and nerds.

I've signed up to go to two different events, both of which will require 3 hour round trips for two hour meetings. 😳

But at least they're events I'm interested in.....

Good luck

Thanks

1 down.

After two hours travelling, I met new people and we weren't a bunch of complete weirdos.

Will go again next week.

Craft session tomorrow evening.

I've signed up to an Escape Room experience.

First one ever.

Hopefully, I won't be offered work for the same day......