Want to find a physical job to get through this difficult winter

[mimi0088]

This is my first mumsnet post, so thank you for reading in advance.

I am a single women living in Central London. I found winter is extremely hard since the pandemic and I am longing for a community feel. Two of my friends moved away from my neighbourhood does not help. The lockdown and WFH also made me realise that being with people gives me energy.

I want to find a part time job that does not involves sitting in front of a computer as I already have a full time office job. For example even just one evening per week at the local pub, which I can walk around and talking to people. I worked in a bar while in Uni and really miss it.

Can anyone please suggest apart from bar jobs, are there any other job I could explore so I can get through this tough winter?

Thank you very much!

How good are you at being outside in the elements? If that’s not a problem something like delivering newspapers may work.

If you have relevant experience, then dog walker

Or before/afterschool nanny (lots of demand, and hourly rate is good, to make up for weird/short hours)

Lots of smaller coffee shops and cafes have window ads for staff, they'd prefer experienced, but if they're having no takers won't be fussy (DC found a job this way)

See if your local charity shops need volunteers, or food banks, community kitchen 'waste not' type services

Theatre front of house? When I lived in Birmingham lots of places had people on just evening shifts.
Does it want to be work or would like volunteering with a charity or something like shelter?

Not a dog walker - you need insurance nd to know what to do in an emergency. What if the dogs have fight? All these bloody hobbyist dog walkers - it's dangerous.

Just pop into a few pubs and ask. Round by us they'd snap your hand off.

Cashier at local supermarket, have a good natter

Volunteer at soup kitchen / food bank
Supermarket shelf stacker / pick and packer
Front of house at local theatre / arts centre / music venue

Retail work - lots of people to talk to, physical and lots of different shifts.
They will be crying out for people over winter.

Same with theatre I would imagine.

Does it need to be a job or would volunteer work also be possible?

Supermarkets are looking for Xmas staff.

Elf

I'm currently doing my swim teaching assistant qualification and will then do my swim teacher.

They are calling out for swim teachers, it's fun, rewarding and very flexible with hours. There is also adult and child lessons. You can work weekends and/ or evenings.

Why not look and see if your local leisure centre is currently looking for volunteers. You could even ask for free swimming in exchange for volunteering so you get to socialise as well.

Restaurant, theatre, volunteer at the childrens' centre, buddying for someone w a mental health problem or older person. Care home visitor (covid obvs an issue for some).

Care worker? In a home. Yes not great pay and hard work.. but you really build a great bond with residents and your team of workers. I've never laughed so much then working in a care home, whilst helping people and keeping fit. Seriously consider it for those reasons!

@RedCarsGoFaster i assume that you are a 'pro' dog walker? I think most people can work how the 'job' works 😂😂😂

If you register with indeed flex they often have shifts for supermarkets (usually picking orders etc rather than anything on the till or directly with customers). Once through the application you just claim shifts you'd like.

I'm a support worker and am a mix between office working (1-2 days depending on paperwork), visits and working from home and I love the balance. Working from home means that I start and end at home if it fits in better with my day and that I can arrange work around the occasional personal appointment.

The pay isn't amazing but the flexibility, getting to work in a female (many mothers) dominated environment and the feel good factor of the work I do makes the low pay ok on balance.

Post woman or the post sorting office if you prefer to be active inside.

I didn't read the OP and recommend my full time job, sorry! I still highly recommend support work, but not if you have another full time role. We are a homeless charity so are always happy to take on volunteers over winter though!

December ; you could sell & deliver christmas trees. Is there a stall near you?

But I'd also suggest retail, so may places looking for additional seasonal staff, evenings & overnight shifts.

Retail - shelf stacking?

Do you mean an outdoor physical labour type job? Or are you happy to be indoors but away from a computer? Do you want something where a bit of chat with customers is part & parcel of the job? Do you want something where you work closely with colleagues and will build up a rapport with them?
There are so many shortages in hospitality at the moment that I would have thought you could pick something up quite quickly.

My favourite place is our outdoor swimming club which was looking for staff recently. I'd totally work there if I didn't already have my hands full. Such a community feel. Also - outdoor nursery, climbing centre, youth hostel. Anywhere that's connected to some kind of hobby.

What abut a retained firefighter, they have a drill night once a week and are on an hours based system where you are on call.

Thank you so much everyone, I am inspired!

Will check out the theatre front of house, soup kitchen/foodbank plus my original bar idea.

@MegBusset - I love art (Paint all the time), do you know how I can find a part time job with in theatre or art gallery. Sorry if this is a stupid question but my day job has nothing to do with art, I just don't know where to start.

Do you need to earn from it? If not could you volunteer as an usher? My mum has a friend who does this and loves it as she gets to see the shows!