To just give up

[juicekite]

I want to work so badly but I've had one job it makes me want to cry.
I don't have any qualifications and I certainly don't have any skills that employers would find useful. I just had a look on my local uni at courses and there's not one I can apply for because I have no exam qualifications to begin with! I'm a complete failure. I hate the lack of money and confidence I have. I'm so depressed. I don't even know where to begin

The job centre should be able to help you put a cv together. Have you thought about going to your daughter's school as a reading volunteer? They're usually crying out for people.

Volunteering is your friend here combined with counselling.

Start small to build up confidence.

Hospitals generally have volunteer department - it'll be making drinks and serving up food and chatting to patients.

Is there a Further Education College near you? That's where you will get help at the right level, and a lot of it is still free, certainly Maths and English.

If you don't know, can you google it or tell us where you live (roughly)

College will also help you put a CV together.

Sounds as if you are overwhelmed by the enormity of the job in front of you. Try to take little steps to boost your confidence. Offer now to help in your local school (primary or secondary) for a couple of hours a week from September. Not only will this boost your confidence, but it will be a good way to experience and a reference. Even volunteers just listening to children read helps and I am sure they will give you some training beforehand.

Hello Sweet, what a sad post, from a young lady.💐
If you'd like to go into nursing, how about applying to one of your local care homes. They teach you, as you go along, NVQ's etc., as far as I know, you don't need qualifications to begin, so it's well worth a try.
I'm pretty sure you're not ugly, even if you think you are, when we feel low, we are all guilty of scrutinising ourselves, to the hilt !
So tomorrow, get yourself out there Beautiful, it's a new day, see what you can find, and report back. I for one, will be waiting to see how you've got on ! 🙋🏼

The Open University don't tend to have specific entry requirements. Many of their undergrad degrees just require you to be able to do the work. Might be worth a look?

Re qualifications - one step at a time, Uni may well be in your future but first build up to it.

Vocational courses at your local FE may be a good start, then maybe an Access course, then Higher Ed if that's what you want to do.

You could also get a Maths and English Level two (GCSE equivalent) at your local FE college.

Your Job Coach should be able to advise, but some of them are fecking useless tbh

Don't set yourself up for failure - slow and steady wins the race.

Any charity shops near you? Usually they're crying out for volunteers. It wouldn't need to be customer facing either. It might help boost your confidence and help you forget your last experience.

You mentioned the Job Centre - are you on JSA? I know when i was on JSA, a CV was essential to have. They also made all claimants attend an essential skills workshop (despite how educated you are) to discuss CV and interview skills. Extra workshops were available for those who needed them. They also mentioned that they are always happy to have claimants spend a week volunteering in the job centre for experience and for something to put on their CV. Is this something you can discuss with your work coach?

Universities won't do the access courses or GCSEs. It will be colleges. Can you access the curriculum for a local college? Most are online now.

Look up National Careers Service, if you are actively seeking work I think the will help you with your qualifications and investigate if you could do an apprenticeship.

I believe you need a Further Education college for your maths, English plus they do short apprenticeship courses for skills learning.

KOKO you can do just need help and advice to get things sorted.

Try Charity shops to see if they need volunteers. They are usually very relaxed and friendly environments and will get you A. Experience. B. Something to put on a CV and C. References.

I'll help you put a CV together if you like. If you don't have much in the way of qualifications, concentrate on the personal statement. Sell yourself. What are you like? Enthusiastic? Up for a challenge? Open and approachable? Any personality trait can be a selling point. You're not bossy, you're confident and have leadership abilities. You don't talk too much, you're an enthusiastic team player. You don't dither and fart about, you're just a perfectionist who takes her time. you're not antisocial or shy, you're self motivated.

It's just the uni I have local to me, the only college is 2 buses and an hour train away so wouldn't make it if it was early clases. I'm not sure my anxiety would allow me either, I find it hard to just leave the house

If you want to go to uni but don't have the qualifications to get in then surely you need to look at going to college to get some qualifications?

Alternatively you could have a look at some apprenticeships, there are apprenticeships that allow you to become a TA if you're interested in teaching.

Maybe try ringing the national careers service nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/

If you are under 25 there are probably projects around that you could access which hopefully JCP could advise you about. If not try searching employment advice on your council (Local authority) website, it will hopefully have links to charities that might have projects for cv writing etc you could access. If depression is part of what is stopping you that might make you eligible for certain EU funded projects.

It is really difficult but your first goal is to get some advice which you have already worked towards by starting this thread

Distance learning?

www.learndirect.com/free-maths-qualification

You do need a proper careers guidance interview

Is there a MIND charity in your area they might be able to sign post you to some advice too.

I am waiting on my GCSE results as I went back into education. I have just finished training as a nursing assistant at a local hospital.

It is a bank staffing system so I didn't need any qualifications. Maybe you could ring your local trust and get some information. X

Try the Open University.

Are you feeling a little more hopeful Juicekite ?
I hope so !