Boredom and being unemployed

[boredlass1]

How do you combat boredom when you are unemployed? 6.5 months now and its getting tedious. Don't like spending money unless I need to.

Could you volunteer?

Nowhere to volunteer.

There are volunteering opportunities at home, being in telephone lines etc. contact whatever volunteers bureau is close to you.

Volunteers needed in charity shops, local schools, care homes.
Could you study a short course with the OU (they are free).

What are you interested in ?
Could you enrol for some further education or training ?

Definitely do free training courses, so many out there and keeps your skills up. If would be surprised if there are no volunteer opportunities near you and worth looking at. Age uk have telephone befriending if you want to do something from home.

Scouting pretty much always needs volunteers!

I found I needed to

• go out 2 mornings a week to a fitness class
• do research in the afternoons
• do applications in the remaining 3 mornings
• have one social thing each week

You should be making a full time job of finding work. Get up, dressed, sit at the table with your phone/laptop and get searching and applying. Approach your Work Coach for help with upskilling. Google “<name of town> volunteer positions” and I guarantee you will find hundreds of roles available. Take the opportunity to get/keep fit especially as the weather is improving. Look for free courses to do online. Earn some extra money doing surveys. There’s absolutely no excuse for boredom and doing all these keeps you in the right routine / frame of mind for when you do get back into work.

There are volunteers required at charity shops where I live. I don't feel comfortable doing this as I was attacked by two men at my last job (retail) and a few more were verbally abusive towards me, which created anxiety and panic attacks. They still live and shop in the area.

What are your interests/hobbies, we might be able to suggest some volunteer ideas? I was unemployed for ages, so I have tried lots of things. I volunteered for 4 things, 2 of which ultimately helped me get the job now have. I also learned some new things, lots of stuff online for free. I did things in the garden listening to podcasts, radio series etc.
It was depressing job hunting, but I did eventually find something good. As well as the chores, find something you enjoy to help keep up your spirits.

Are you looking for work?
What are your interests?

Oh that's quite an update! Is that why you stopped at your last job?

You could volunteer for someone like the Samaritans?

Get exercise in

Sign up to anything that will teach you new skills

It is a full time job looking for work, so keep applying for absolutely anything

Actively look to try new things, doesn't matter if it relates to work or not, it is the mindset and sense of freedom that it gives you that helps

I’m joining the volunteering suggestions - I know you said there is nothing but I just don’t believe that to be true.

Our foodbank will take anyone on a rota system so everyone gets a go

My mum retired and since retiring she has volunteered a a day centre for adults with special needs, a community cafe that generates money for local charities, a clothes bank for babies with parents in difficult situations. My dad has joined three different choirs and got super into gardening. Only the gardening here costs any money and depending on what you do it needn’t cost much.

Our local hospital has volunteers that answer easy patient questions like “where do I find the x ray department”. All you have to do is stand around and smile at people and check in on anyone who looks lost, confused or upset

Do you have a garden, I’ve found that doing little projects in the garden really helped me deal with boredom and low mood

There are online volunteering opportunities. Befriending is over the telephone usually.
Do a short course. There are free ones on gov.uk also open university.
work on fitness goals
find a hobby

That and a combination an uncaring manager, If that happened during the previous manager, he was more supportive and banned the customers. Plus wanted to get out of retail.

There is always somewhere to volunteer.

I've volunteered at a foodshare, the local hospital cafe, migrant hotels, local society events, volunteer run cinema and listening to readers in 2 local schools. And I live 12 miles from the nearest town!

Volunteering will look really good on your job applications! It doesn’t need to be in the same sector you work in. It shows you have skills, shows you have energy and willingness to be flexible etc.