Potential future job opportunities… just looking for advice please

[hafig]

I am 44 years old and medically retired from the police (significant spinal issues).

I didn’t go to uni as was accepted into the police at 20 years old. I have A levels in Spanish, French, Economics and Geography. All B/C grade.

I love helping people, that’s why I loved the Police. I’m not physically able to lift people.

I worked previously as a cleaner in the local hospital, loved it!! Chatting to patients, bringing them tea etc.

I would ideally live to be a “friend” to an older person, not necessarily paid but having looked after my elderly grandmother for years, I would like to help another family out.

Is this reasonable?

I'm a bit confused what you are asking.

Do you want us to tell you if it is okay to get a job as a companion type of carer (where you don't have to do any physical lifting) ? Of course it would be, but I am not sure why you need our permissions?
or
Are you asking if it is okay if you don't look for paid employment, but volunteer in some sort of companionship role ? That would presumably depend on your finances - your pension income and what your outgoings are.

Apologies if I've misunderstood.

Sorry, maybe was a bit confusing!

I’m just at a crossroads and wondering what sort of employment, paid or otherwise would be suitable.

I don’t know if I’d be better off retraining, Open Uni or something.

Will doing further work affect your medical retirement pension?
Otherwise yes, you can do what you want. A lot of the support work with older people involves some physical activities but there are also jobs, for example, assisting with benefit applications/advice type roles. Maybe volunteer with Age UK to get some experience.

In my experience, the kind of role you are describing is usually done by volunteers. @Dilemma999’s suggestion of advice-type roles is a good one, a friend of mine had a job visiting people with disabilities, advising them what aids they were entitled to and helping them apply for them.