Taking my time to work not rushing into it -surely better ?

[Backtoworkoneday]

I have decided to try and get my GCSEs and some kind of basic IT qualification so that in 2-3 years I may be able to work. I haven’t worked in a long time. I need basic qualifications though.

Someone said today that I am ‘stalling’ -
I’m not I just want to get maths and English GCSE’s and be able to use a computer ? Potentially I’d like to find a volunteer role as well. Surely it’s better to do it properly instead of rushing into something when I’m not ready (have some difficult circumstances at home so can’t work immediately and I get carers allowance currently)

Sounds sensible to me. I doubt there are many jobs that you can get without any GCSEs.

Yes I think it would be a huge barrier plus no employment history which is why I thought a volunteer role alongside trying to get some qualifications might be sensible. I’d rather take my time and do it properly

It depends on the financials. And on your caring commitments.

Certainly, getting your GCSEs makes sense, and most jobs require you to use a computer in some form - MS Word and Excel would be a good start.

However, If you rely on someone else to keep you, I can see why they might expect you to get some part time bar work or similar while you are studying (as most adult students do).

So, if you don't mind me asking; what have you been doing for the last however many years OP?

Have you looked at the functional skills qualifications. Yes not as high as a gcse but the minimum the government want all adults to have. In a practical way they seem to relate to everyday maths and English rather than random algebraic formula and knowing 19th century poetry.

They can then get you onto college courses depending on what you see as your future? Do you have a job or career in mind? What is your education/employment history. Its good that you have goals so be positive.

I had severe MH issues as teen so didn’t go to school I actually had a job aged 18-20 (I’m 43 now). At 20 I had a severe MH crisis (hospitalised) and then had years and years of just different medications and therapies and nothing worked. Met dh and got married at 30, had dc and got horrendous PND the second time when hospitalised everything was reassessed and I was given diagnosis of ASD, ADHD , anxiety and OCD. That was when things started to improve . My Ds has ASD so I get carers allowance for him.

Ideally something care related perhaps a healthcare assistant but if not I’d be happy with something maybe admin based ?

The one job I did have was admin assistant, at the interview I had to do some tests which were multiple choice questions and I just guessed the maths answers as to what looked like it could be the right answer and the English ones weren’t too hard. I only had to do things like photocopy stuff, do the post, organise a few things, prepare offices for meetings etc

I can't think of any office based admin job where you wouldn't be sat at a computer these days. I think most companies expect employees to be conversant with Excel, Word and Outlook.

Are there any courses locally that offer basic Microsoft Office training?

Sounds like you have a very sound plan. I had no qualifications from school as I was pregnant as a teen. Went back to college in my twenties and gradually did gcse and A levels, then a degree. Taking it gradually will help you get used to studying and build your confidence. Wishing you all the success in the world.

That’s what I’m hoping to do I’m literally useless I can’t use computers at all and I need to learn to have any chance

After reading your first post, I originally wanted to suggest trying to work part-time while studying, as taking three years before trying to work really sounds like stalling, not really wanting to work and lazy.

Than I read through your updates, and I am on your side now. It won't be three years of full-time study for you, it will be years of studying while being a carer, which is totally different case.

Please, don't worry too much about random comments, you situation is very far from the norm and people just tend to project their experience.