What job could I do?

[ImTryingToChange]

I want to return to work, but I don’t know what to do. I have a lot of negatives holding me back mainly due to my limitations because of my health. I have been out of the workforce for over 10 years partly because I was a SAHM and partly because of my health.

I have GCSEs, A levels and a teaching degree, but I can’t return to teaching because it’s too physically and mentally demanding.

My limitations due to my health are

1. I can’t look at screens for long periods of time as I have an eye condition that’s worsened by looking at screens for very long. So that rules out working with computers.
2. I have problems with my feet and back so can’t stand for long periods of time, although you wouldn’t know it to look at me. So that rules out retail and waitressing etc.
3. It needs to be an indoor job.
4. I have fatigue so would need to be part time.
5. I can’t do anything crafty or repeatedly using my hands/fingers where my fingers need to be closed or in a fist.
6. I can’t do public speaking.

If I wasn’t effected by my health my preferences would be working with children or emotionally and practically supporting the elderly (although not the personal care side of it), I also have worked in retail and enjoyed it, but in the days before the public turned into monsters when there was no need for “We don’t tolerate abuse” signs.

Can anybody think of a job I could do?

Can you write a list of what you can do?

You could do family support work, helping families who are struggling and working to a family support plan, you could do nurture or pastoral care type work, mental health support/mentoring. There are lots of different support type roles - you might need to do some training but if you want to work with people there are lots of options.

That one is always harder (things I can do)

I am a good listener.

I think quite practically so I’m good at problem solving.

I like caring for people.

I could work speaking on a phone, but not look at a screen for long periods that often comes along with such jobs.

I can use my hands, it’s just when they have to be used for delicate things or in a fist I get pain and they lock up. So I can pick food items up in the kitchen fine but wouldn’t be able to eg write or paint for long periods.

Im also quite observant, I notice details. I notice quickly if something is wrong or changed.

If computer work, close work with your hands & predominantly standing work are ruled out, I think looking into talking type jobs is probably your best bet.

Could you get a licence as a counsellor of some kind? Then could set your own hours, indoors, seated & mostly talking.

Otherwise could you think about being a teaching assistant? You can ask for part time, it's indoors, seated, not much screens. I know you might see it as a step backwards if you used to be a teacher but it could help you get back into the workforce for a bit even if not forever.

Could you do tutoring at your house/ go to their houses?

Could you get a qualification as a careers coach at a school or university? I think there's a lot of part time work there.

Sorry if not what you're looking for. & best of luck. Definitely capitalise on your skills from being a SAHM (organisation, skills with children etc) when applying.

could you work in a preschool setting? Lots of lovely former teachers at retirement age work a few mornings a week in ours.

Health visitor? Sitting down, driving about, some screens but mostly talking.

classroom assistant?

working in a factory? I am sure there are seated jobs in some factories.

working in a nursery or other childcare setting?

receptionist eg in a hospital - I don’t know how much screen this is but I suspect it’s mostly talking to people