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

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.

Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 08:11

BlastedPimples · 05/10/2023 07:53

Check out the work from home hub.

www.theworkfromhomehub.co.uk/

Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 08:12

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.

Ooh intriguing! Before I stopped walking, I loved the little bit of travelling I was able to do.

OP posts:
Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 08:13

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!

Good luck to you too!

OP posts:
Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 08:14

tootsweetss · 05/10/2023 08:13

Have you explored/ spoken to National Careers Service OP? It's worth having a call with an advisor, they might be able to help you.

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/career-and-job-support-for-people-with-a-disability/

Yes. That was the disaster of a lady who didn't know how to help

OP posts:
Spendonsend · 05/10/2023 08:15

Some charities support people to find work. I dont know if your disability has an associated charity but they might help if so.

ohtowinthelottery · 05/10/2023 08:19

I know someone who works for Citizens Advice who works remotely from home - paid pt role (3 days a week). She doesn't even live in the same part of the country as the office she works for. She has a finance background but I'm sure you legal background would be very useful.

TiredArse · 05/10/2023 08:19

Have you looked into permitted work on esa? So you wouldn’t need to stop the esa straight away? https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/employment-and-support-allowance-esa-permitted-work#:~:text=Permitted%20work%20includes%3A,it%20to%20your%20local%20Jobcentre.

tootsweetss · 05/10/2023 08:20

Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 08:14

Yes. That was the disaster of a lady who didn't know how to help

Show quote history

Ah, of course. Sorry to hear that :(

It could be worth looking at some of the other organisations/ charities linked on that page like Shaw Trust.

Also, try to find out what support there is in your area in terms of charities that might be able to support you. Where I am, there is a charity that will give mentor support to people with disabilities looking for work. The will provide a free 1to1 meeting with someone every week/ fortnight who will get to know you and help you work on your job search, interview skills, CV, talk through any difficulties you are having etc. It's a really good service.

There might not be anything like that where you are, but it's worth looking. Job Centres aren't always great but sometimes they can point you in the right direction for further support from these charities, so it might also be worth asking there.

lechatnoir · 05/10/2023 08:23

I was coming on to say civil service or charity and can see others have said the same. In my charity there are a few people with visible disabilities and I'd say 80% of us wfh full time with all sorts of working patterns.
Search on here www.charityjob.co.uk/ - you can set the filter to PT & fully remote.

Something like this Officer role working for Law for Life would be perfect - don't undersell yourself and only look at very entry level roles.
www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs/law-for-life/information-officer/930062?tsId=2

Violetbinlid · 05/10/2023 08:23

Paralegal? If you google remote paralegal lots of remote roles come up. Good luck OP!

Besidetheriver · 05/10/2023 08:27

I know you said WFH
Have you looked at jobs at your local NHS Trust/ hospital
Look directly on their website
Good luck

ChesapeakeBay · 05/10/2023 08:40

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..

If they meet the criteria/ score highly enough on assessments.

isthatmyage · 05/10/2023 08:40

Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 07:31

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

Thank you so much

Show quote history

OP my daughter graduated with a law degree last year and before her first permanent job did lots of virtual paralegal work for firms in London (then they do not need to provide office space). I think there are some agencies that specialise in it, will need your own laptop etc. Good luck! Oh and it paid average £15 per hour.

Ylvamoon · 05/10/2023 08:51

Have a look at e- commerce, lots of it is computer based WFH... if you are lucky enough, you can even be a bit creative with product descriptions ect.
(Amazon has a lot of WFH type jobs...)

Good luck- I hope you'll find something suitable.

Robinni · 05/10/2023 09:02

Just a thought, why don’t you do a post grad part time?

Research wfh jobs that would fit with your requirements and aspirations.

Then take on an online masters that would help you get the job, some will have work placements that will give you some experience. And you should be able to have the reasonable adjustment of part time. Thinking something IT based would work.

Research what is out there, it’s always an option to fall back on if you have trouble breaking into the job market without recent experience.

Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 12:41

TiredArse · 05/10/2023 08:19

Yes, thank you. My comment about stopping esa was more about if I do too much and then for some reason lost my job, we can afford it

OP posts:
Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 12:43

lechatnoir · 05/10/2023 08:23

I was coming on to say civil service or charity and can see others have said the same. In my charity there are a few people with visible disabilities and I'd say 80% of us wfh full time with all sorts of working patterns.
Search on here www.charityjob.co.uk/ - you can set the filter to PT & fully remote.

Something like this Officer role working for Law for Life would be perfect - don't undersell yourself and only look at very entry level roles.
www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs/law-for-life/information-officer/930062?tsId=2

Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 12:47

Violetbinlid · 05/10/2023 08:23

Paralegal? If you google remote paralegal lots of remote roles come up. Good luck OP!

Thank you!

By the way, I'm having trouble replying to some posts. It says I can't quote posts with a quote, but I can see some of you quoting a post I'm replying to. Am I missing a trick somewhere?

OP posts:
Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 12:50

Robinni · 05/10/2023 09:02

Just a thought, why don’t you do a post grad part time?

Research wfh jobs that would fit with your requirements and aspirations.

Then take on an online masters that would help you get the job, some will have work placements that will give you some experience. And you should be able to have the reasonable adjustment of part time. Thinking something IT based would work.

Research what is out there, it’s always an option to fall back on if you have trouble breaking into the job market without recent experience.

Good idea, thank you

OP posts:
Wotty · 05/10/2023 12:57

@Spencer0220 Do you remain interested in law and the legal sector? There are many roles within or related to law that can be done remotely. I can suggest some if helpful. To echo others, I really admire your resolve.

Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 13:02

Wotty · 05/10/2023 12:57

@Spencer0220 Do you remain interested in law and the legal sector? There are many roles within or related to law that can be done remotely. I can suggest some if helpful. To echo others, I really admire your resolve.

Absolutely!! I just got out of the loop a bit.

Thank you for admiring me. I admit before all the lovely comments on here, I was quite dejected

OP posts:
Davina69 · 05/10/2023 13:07

Are you receiving PIP ? That won't be affected if you do work and have you spoken to your university? They should be able to provide some advice re careers even if it's a while since you graduated.

Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 13:09

Davina69 · 05/10/2023 13:07

Are you receiving PIP ? That won't be affected if you do work and have you spoken to your university? They should be able to provide some advice re careers even if it's a while since you graduated.

I'm still on the old DLA.

My uni closed back in 2013. The new one that took their place I believe only offered support 5 years after graduation? I'll definitely follow up and check though! Thank you

OP posts: