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AIBU?

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Original poster

To want a job?

106 replies

Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 01:52

I hope this is okay to post. I've been a Mumsnet lurker for weeks and only just made an account to follow a couple of threads.

I'm 35, childless and physically disabled since birth.

I graduated university with a law degree.

I have never had a job. Until 4 years ago I had various regular volunteer jobs both for charity and in industry. Then, I became very unwell and unable to continue anything.

Fast forward 4 years. I have recovered and adjusted to a new normal.

DH I have looked at our finances and figured out that we can finally afford for me to look for paid work. So if I lose my ESA because I earn to much and then lose my job, he can fully support our lifestyle.

At 19, government decided I was too sick to work and I got zero support finding employment.

On Monday I had an appointment with a government careers advisor and it was a shambles. DH and I both got the impression that she didn't know how to help.

Am I being unreasonable to want a job? It's all I've ever wanted. I don't even know where to start or how to pitch myself. I was told I'd struggle because of the cv gap and my age.

I don't want much. Just something part time and WFH. I don't care if it's minimum wage. But after Monday, being told I get no more support I'm feeling rather dejected.

DH wants nothing more than to help, but he's at a loss. He walked into the first job after uni and they bent over backwards to meet his disability needs.

I know I should be grateful I have benefits and I am.

But I want to work.

Thank you for letting me vent.

OP posts:
arintingly · 05/10/2023 06:58

I agree with civil service.

What about virtual PA?

Is virtual paralegal work a thing?

TheCaddieisaBaddie · 05/10/2023 07:08

CF = Cheeky Fucker

PivotPivotmakingmargaritas · 05/10/2023 07:24

Virtual PA - with your law degree I think you could easily be a virtual PA.

All the best, I really admire your drive

PerfectMatch · 05/10/2023 07:29

Hi OP, I find the Timewise website good for part time jobs.

Russooooo · 05/10/2023 07:29

Can you get out independently at all? a few of my friends are clerks for various governing bodies. They mostly attend the meetings in person (in schools or local councils), but then write up minutes, liaise with governors etc from home. I suspect there’d be similar roles that are entirely online because of the nature of some governing bodies. Your literacy skills and legal knowledge would be really valued there.

Russooooo · 05/10/2023 07:31

I’m invested so did a quick google. Mixture of ‘in person’ and ‘hybrid’ here:

https://uk.indeed.com/q-clerk-to-governors-jobs.html

Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 07:31

arintingly · 05/10/2023 06:58

I agree with civil service.

What about virtual PA?

Is virtual paralegal work a thing?

I don't know about virtual paralegal. I'll have a look. Same with virtual pa.

Thank you so much

OP posts:
Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 07:36

Russooooo · 05/10/2023 07:29

Can you get out independently at all? a few of my friends are clerks for various governing bodies. They mostly attend the meetings in person (in schools or local councils), but then write up minutes, liaise with governors etc from home. I suspect there’d be similar roles that are entirely online because of the nature of some governing bodies. Your literacy skills and legal knowledge would be really valued there.

Thank you I'll look into this.

Nope, I can only go out with help. But my husband comes with me as needed. I just can't ask him to support me going to a job regularly. Because he has a full time job. I don't think that's fair. I'm very lucky his job accommodates all his medical adjustments and lets him care for me.

OP posts:
Boredatwork1234 · 05/10/2023 07:36

Have you considered making cards for Etsy? Or something like that?

Etsy is easy to set up and you then have complete control of when you work

Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 07:38

TheCaddieisaBaddie · 05/10/2023 07:08

CF = Cheeky Fucker

smacks forehead of course! Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 07:38

PerfectMatch · 05/10/2023 07:29

Hi OP, I find the Timewise website good for part time jobs.

Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 07:39

Russooooo · 05/10/2023 07:31

I’m invested so did a quick google. Mixture of ‘in person’ and ‘hybrid’ here:

https://uk.indeed.com/q-clerk-to-governors-jobs.html

Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 07:40

Boredatwork1234 · 05/10/2023 07:36

Have you considered making cards for Etsy? Or something like that?

Etsy is easy to set up and you then have complete control of when you work

I'm honestly not good enough to sell. But it's a future dream

OP posts:
TeachesOfPeaches · 05/10/2023 07:46

What about customer service jobs? Plenty are remote and that type of role seems to always be hiring.

Aozora13 · 05/10/2023 07:46

If you have volunteer experience could you look for a paid role within the charity sector? I’ve worked for non-profits most of my career and have worked with people with all sorts of disabilities. Part time and WFH is not uncommon also. You might find if there are charities supporting your particular disability/disabilities that they are particularly keen for employees affected by it and offer additional access (eg blind people at RNIB). You could start by looking at specific websites or check out charityjob

TookTheBook · 05/10/2023 07:53

You write well and seem competent.

Have you considered copywriting or a new field called User Experience (usually shortened to UX) which looks at how people best experience accessible websites and services.

Some of it is about the design, but a lot is about wording and research - it seems you'd be good at that. Look up UX research and writing jobs. There will be junior and trainee roles and a lot of them will be WFH or hybrid as they are techie ish jobs.

Normalsizedsalad · 05/10/2023 07:53

Friend was doing WwFH customer service for online bank. Above NMW pay and part time offered. They also had progression so you could move within company out of customer service.
Look at places like Monzo etc.

BlastedPimples · 05/10/2023 07:53

Check out the work from home hub.

www.theworkfromhomehub.co.uk/

Unicorn2022 · 05/10/2023 07:54

Have you looked into the Disability Confident scheme - these are employers who will guarantee an interview to a disabled person

https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/?gl=1%2Aihxd23%2AAga%2AMTQzNDEzODk4NS4xNjk2MjA3NDc0%2AgaaS5RQ7FTGVR%2AMTY5NjQ4ODcyMS4zLjAuMTY5NjQ4ODcyMS4wLjAuMA..

Ryeman · 05/10/2023 07:55

You could look at travel agent/consultant roles. My friend did this part time from home - basically customers calling up wanting flights etc and you booked for them. Often corporate customers so there’s no selling really.

PerspiringElizabeth · 05/10/2023 07:55

Also Etsy is a lot of effort for a pittance unless you’re doing to to exhaustive levels. More of a side job in reality. Do it though! Just not for the money!

OdeToBarney · 05/10/2023 08:06

Another person coming to say the civil service. They have a disability confident scheme so guarantee an interview to anyone who meets the criteria for the role. I'm hoping to benefit from this myself shortly!

Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 08:07

TeachesOfPeaches · 05/10/2023 07:46

What about customer service jobs? Plenty are remote and that type of role seems to always be hiring.

A lot say full time only sadly. But I'll keep trying

OP posts:
Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 08:08

Aozora13 · 05/10/2023 07:46

If you have volunteer experience could you look for a paid role within the charity sector? I’ve worked for non-profits most of my career and have worked with people with all sorts of disabilities. Part time and WFH is not uncommon also. You might find if there are charities supporting your particular disability/disabilities that they are particularly keen for employees affected by it and offer additional access (eg blind people at RNIB). You could start by looking at specific websites or check out charityjob

Good idea, thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 08:09

TookTheBook · 05/10/2023 07:53

You write well and seem competent.

Have you considered copywriting or a new field called User Experience (usually shortened to UX) which looks at how people best experience accessible websites and services.

Some of it is about the design, but a lot is about wording and research - it seems you'd be good at that. Look up UX research and writing jobs. There will be junior and trainee roles and a lot of them will be WFH or hybrid as they are techie ish jobs.

Thank you!!

I believe you have to be qualified to copyright, but I'm not adverse to retraining

OP posts:
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