to ask for a job retraining idea..

[runningpram]

With possibilities of earning decent money that's always going to be in demand. I'm not great at maths but I like analysing stuff, doing stuff that's relatively intellectually testing, writing, languages and talking to people. I'm 38 so no spring chicken but have a few years and energy in me. I've got a good degree but don't want to spend masses of money and years and years studying. Could do with some inspiration! Thank you in advance

Law. You can do it with any degree, they fund you through the academics you need and it pays well. It's intellectually stimulating, uses writing and people skills - and if you go for an international firm you can develop language skills too.
Alternatively, teaching. Only one year of training, depending on the subject the funding for training is insanely good - or not great. Again, people skills and writing skills and a whole different kind of intellectually stimulating. Languages are one of the really well funded options.

Also, a lot of career changers in both law and teaching so you won't stick out amongst a load of 18-24 year olds. Both professions value having some life experience.

thanks! that's really helpful. But I thought that law training contracts were pretty much impossible to get - even if you're 23. Would be good to get the thoughts of someone in the industry's thoughts

Whatever you do, work for yourself. Never be controlled by anyone else.

Find something that you can do, whether it is decorating bedrooms, filing company accounts, filling in VAT returns, making wedding cakes or unblocking drains, and make it happen.
You'll never go back to corporate life again. They can stick their office politics, competence frameworks and 360 degree reviews where the sun don't shine.

I've sent you a pm.