I'm DONE with my job, but no idea what else I could do! Help!

[Sonolanona]

I've worked in Special School as a TA for 20 years. Still love the children but the school was taken over by a trust, and it's now very heavy on managers and many many new policies and very light on anything actually enjoyable for the children. Morale is through the floor and I just don't want to be there any longer.
But... I'm old (late 50s) and can only work 3 days a week as care for my Grandchildren too.

My joy in life comes from my allotment and my pets.. I walk miles with the dog and spend any spare hours up to my elbows in compost :)

I have seriously considered dog walking/pet sitting (many years experience with dogs and cats), ( researched the relevant legal stuff, insurance, first aid etc) but am a little scared of being self employed and not sure how saturated the market near me really is. My dh is happy to support me if I want to give it a go but I am nervous to make that jump!

What else can I consider? No jobs going in the local garden centre sadly or I'd be applying!

Why are you looking after grandchildren .. you didn’t mention them as giving you joy?

and you are limiting opening yourself up to anything new.

perhaps look at some of the larger supermarkets and discount stores, they have quite large garden centres attached.

and stop thinking of yourself as quite old at late 50s unless you have other health issues.

look at the jobs vacant in the local council, there are dozens of different jobs you can do part time.

My friend runs a bunny hotel - she takes in bunnies when people are on holiday or poorly and they pay her a small fee for caring for them. She has a couple of hutches and runs and is very knowledgeable about small animals. It’s nice work if you have space in your garden and like animals

Probably to help her daughter or son @Tumbler2121

I adore my grandkids... I wouldn't be looking after them if they didn't ! Also my daughter has a wonderful career as a children's palliative care nurse, and my son in law works long hours, so supporting them is important to me, but I do not want to move into another job that is about caring for children or adults... I've been doing that a very long time, I would like something aligned to my interests... animals and vegetables!
I'm fit, (I'm a squash player) and healthy... but ageism is a real thing, and daft to pretend it isn't. And no there are NOT loads of part time council jobs going where I am, I check every few days!

Are there any boarding kennels near you? Somebody I know runs one and employs quite a few dog walkers.
I also know a few people who did dog grooming courses and do that part time. It's very well paid.

The dog walker we use set after taking early retirement in her late 50s she does 3-4d a week plus live in holiday care for one dog. She gets booked up now year in advance for peak weeks holidays. She walks 2-3 dogs at a time whereas the others walk 6 at a time. Go for it if you like dogs.

I received my last job offer at 66. Before that, I had new jobs at 66, 62 (in a new field to me) and 57. Ageism might be real, but it’s beatable.

You could look at https://restless.co.uk/jobs/ - age friendly employers advertise here. This lot offer free help with finding jobs over 50
https://wiseage.org.uk/

Many public (including the civil service) and third sector organisations actually apply their EDI policies and will happily employ people in their 50s and above.

I sold a house about ten years ago to a woman of about 60. She had recently taken some garden design qualifications and planned to set up a garden design business. Could you do something like that?

Your own gardening business?

I employ a couple who garden. There’s a big guy who does the heavy work and his partner does the lighter end. Is there anyone else you could partner up with, if the heavy stuff isn’t right for you?

I love your post, but sadly disagree with you. There is ageism and it relates to skills, experience and qualifications. They can and should demand more for job role and salary. But also attitude. I worked in education, my 2nd career; my supposed contemparies, normally a full generation, gave not a shit about quality of output, so in the meantime quality of data and customer service deteriorates. No one cares, but it matters.

What council are you looking at? Dozens of jobs suitable for OP, please tell me where this is. My local council has precisely zero suitable jobs that I could apply for.

Dog grooming course is horrendously long.... 1000hrs on the job training as well as the education side. But agree is a good money earner.

Having. Cattery or kennels sounds perfect ?