Chronically ill but want a new career - inspiration?

[Findmeanewjob]

Apologies if this isn’t in the right place - I couldn’t find a work/careers section.

I’m in my mid 40s, a qualified primary school teacher and a single parent. Years ago I took on a part time receptionist job, planning to return to teaching once my son started high school. Unfortunately I became chronically ill before that could happen and now can’t work in schools as my immune system doesn’t work properly and standard viral infections make me extremely unwell for a long time - I’d be off sick constantly due to all the school bugs.

I can only manage part time work as my main symptoms are awful fatigue and feeling as though I am coming down with flu constantly. I need to sleep and lie down a lot.

My mental health is going down the pan due to being stuck in my soul destroying minimum wage job when I am qualified to do more. My job is extremely easy but I am still exhausted and feel awful after every shift. I desperately want a decent part time job that makes me feel like I’m fulfilling even a tiny bit of my potential and helps me to earn more but I feel stuck. I’m in a small town, surrounded by slightly larger factory type towns so it’s difficult to get an admin role anywhere as not many offices. I can’t commute to the nearest city as even sitting on a train for 30 minutes exhausts me, and I can’t do a physical job due to my poor health.

I realise how negative that all sounds, but I honestly desperately want to carry on working even though I’m not really even well enough to do the easy job that I do now. My life is entirely geared towards getting through my 3 shifts per week and I don’t have any energy left for anything for me due to this, so if I could swap my job to something that I actually enjoyed maybe that would feel less miserable?

I’ve been looking at travel agent training today (not convinced)
counselling (but the training is so long)
no idea what else.

Aside from teaching I have general admin skills and worked in restaurants as a chef and restaurant manager when I was younger (not possibly now as I can’t stand for long).

Really hoping that somebody will have a suggestion that may work.

Maybe you could work from home. Could you do a tutoring role. This would use your teaching experience. Or maybe online teaching English as a foreign language to non-English speakers

Thank you so much for your suggestion. Unfortunately I tried tutoring a few years ago but there just wasn’t enough uptake - I had a couple of regulars but that was all - would have been a really good suggestion if o didn’t live in such a small town though. I don’t think I’d be any good at teaching English as a foreign language as I’m terrible at other languages so would struggle to communicate with the learners.

Some sort of writing job that you can do in your own home?

It might be worth looking at this site that offers disability-friendly roles https://www.evenbreak.co.uk/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4MSzBhC8ARIsAPFOuyVR2Pbuy_6W9Z0UsatF3AEMao_nMPk-J9n4HbwhBrA_YVwNfDNXbp8aAkE1EALw_wcB

I heard the lady who started it speak at an event, she was very impressive. She started it when an operation left her literally having to lie flat in bed for a long period and she began to wonder what work she could do. Might give you some ideas, perhaps? Good luck!

Try public sector? Most of the roles in my organisation are largely remote and I have felt really supported with my chronic condition.
There's a lot of work but because I can do it without leaving the house most of the week I manage fine.

My friend works as a mentor for kids - they tend to be teens who are struggling with school or finding purpose after they have dropped out of school. Her company are based in wales, but she mostly works from home and does zoom calls with the kids. PM me if you want the name of her company, but as an ex teacher I think you would have great transferable skills. Good luck, I am sorry you are in such a pants position right now x

I have a friend who is a proofreader for a publishing house. She works from home, and she likes her job. It's not super well paid, though.

Just fyi, you don't have to speak a foreign language to teach English. Many students just want to have conversation practice as they prepare for exams. If you have a TEFL qualification it can be a good side hustle, or full time job if you go freelance and start marketing yourself. All you have to do is chat in English about random topics. Help with pronunciation etc. you just have to be confident.

Have you considered IT. Eg. Software development/networking/cyber? That's what I'm doing now. It's well paid and fun if you have a geeky side!

Editing and proofreading is also good. You can find work on sites such as fiver

I have a friend who is a virtual PA. There are lots of WFH admin jobs now, you definitely don't need to be near an office

Thank you so much for all of your suggestions - definite food for thought and I’m going to look into a lot of them (would have replied sooner but fell asleep yesterday afternoon as is standard for me 🙄)

I don’t think I could manage anything in IT though - I am bloody useless at anything technical.