To ask for suggestions for jobs someone with no particular skills and qualifications can do

[trekking1]

I just got fired from my teaching assistant job because I was depressed so did not show up for work.

I never went to uni and only did low paid jobs so far, so once my mental health gets better I would like to get a better paid job. I liked my TA job but it literally only pays tiny bit more than being on benefits so do not see the point.

Does anyone have any suggestions or should I just accept that I will be working low paid jobs forever?

What do you enjoy doing? What motivates you?

Are you better at thinking or doing?

Have you considered care work? Lots of jobs and progression available in that industry.

Lots to unpack from your post. Most important is your mental health. Are you getting support and dealing with this because if not, it's going to continue to get in your way.
Next, not going to uni isn't a huge problem. Lots of careers have other routes in. Do you want to work with children? How important is money? How much is enough? Have you considered an apprenticeship? The pay may be a little lower to start (not always) and they can be a good way to get free recognised training.
If you can tell us what sort of work you'd like to do people might be able to help.

Have a look at this website- it might give you an inkling of careers that might suit you.www.16personalities.com
also, contact the national careers service.

“I liked my TA job but it literally only pays tiny bit more than being on benefits so do not see the point.”

The point is:
To gain experience of the workplace
To prove your reliability and professionalism
To develop your skills (including social skills and how to be a good team player etc)
To contribute to society

You go in at the bottom, you work hard and then you move up.

I'm not passionate about anything tbh.

I looked at apprenticeships and they always require A-levels or GCSEs which I don't have

What is your situation? Do you need a job that works around the school day/term time?

Are you physically able? Anything that would limit you to certain ways of working?

Can you drive?

And why don’t you have GCSEs?

Supermarket or similar, eg Home Bargains etc? its slightly more than minimum wage and more hours available/more overtime than TA work.

And if you are able to do care work (ie would be happy to do it) then care work.

No

Yes I am able

No

Because I got severely depressed as a teen

Have a look at volunteering as a way of building up some experience.

Also, courses - there are lots of free courses available, WEA are quite good, they have tutor led courses online.

It would massively improve your prospects if you were to take at least GCSE maths and English, as many jobs and apprenticeships require those.

In reality it is unlikely you can get a job that pays well with no formal qualifications.

If you’re wanting to pick up the academics, open university would be a good shot, the first modules are very gentle for those getting into education for the first time or the first time in a while and could help with future career.
if not, things like supermarkets as mentioned above, McDonald’s everyone looks down at it, but they have great training and you can climb the ladder.

what kind of things do you enjoy doing or have an interest in?

Does your nearest Adult Ed do Access courses? English and Maths courses?

All will help you

What about learning something practical and creative like floristry? There's lots of practical courses you can do in different things at local colleges for adults without needing GCSEs. If you're on benefits you can usually get onto the courses. As you get more confident and happy, with learning and doing something you enjoy, you could always do some GCSEs and A-levels in the evenings, if you want to have them just for future's sake.

You can also study for diplomas in different areas of life with distance learning courses you can do at your own pace. One, for example is ADL- academy of distance learning. You don't need GCSE's to get onto a lot of the courses, and they're accredited.

This meant to say - you can get onto the courses for free.

So you need to get your Math and English GCSE, look at jobs with NHS as you can then do more qualifications with them and long term career aspiration

https://passfunctionalskills.co.uk/gcse-maths-and-english-courses-for-adults-free/#:~:text=Sit%20GCSE%20Maths%20and%20English,to%20help%20them%20and%20you.

You need to change your attitude/ outlook/mindset.

Employers don't want to employ someone who says:

"I just got fired from my teaching assistant job because I was depressed so did not show up for work"

They want someone who says "my employers were forced to let me go because I kept letting them down by not showing up to work. I was depressed at the time but I've since engaged with treatment and have now recovered"

Long term you could sign up to doing an OU degree. You could start in October. That will help you long term.

Are you a practical person, there are massive skills shortages in some areas of construction. Have you considered learning a trade?. A lot of councils do free short courses to get people into areas with gaps. Welders, electricans, plumbers are all well paid jobs.

Without GCSE's I don't think you'll get a job paying above minimum wage. You could go to a college and do the English and Maths GCSE's. You could try bar work or waitressing where you'd get paid minimum wage but also get tips. You'd need to paint on a smile though.

I looked at apprenticeships and they always require A-levels or GCSEs which I don't have

That's not necessarily true, OP. They advertise that but it's not a legal requirement you can sit your maths and English alongside doing an apprenticeship.

Although, if you're not ready for work I'd recommend doing Keyskills maths, English, and IT now. You can do them remotely for free if you've not got GCSEs.,

Whilst your MH recovers I would look into volunteering at outdoor green gyms / nature reserves. Being outdoors and doing practical work can help with depression as you naturally get physical activity and Vit D as part of your work day. You'll learn to use the tools, with your school experience you could volunteer as a Young Wardens help for teens doing Conservation for their DoE before potentially becoming a paid employee / Education Officer who leads school groups.

These things may not be well paid but they bring other benefits to your mind and body and sense of wellbeing however, there is more to life than money and until you get you MH sorted and qualifications in order the stress and requirements for a higher paid job right now is probably out of reach but it doesn't have to be that way forever.

https://www.cityandguilds.com/what-we-offer/centres/skills-for-work-and-life/functional-skills

It was actually functional skills, I meant, not keyskills.

Following with interest...

Your local college will probably have some access to HE courses you can do, for free, without GCSEs. They'll help you build confidence, pass your functional skills and get you ready for certain uni courses.

A lot of people going into nursing as adults start off on an access course. You really just need to decide what you want to do. Once you decide that there will be a way to achieve it, even without GCSE's.

If you enjoyed being a TA this course might interest you

https://www.accesstohe.ac.uk/course-search/Course?QAACourseCode=QAA62272619&searchCurrentPage=1&searchCourseName=teaching&searchLocation=&searchDistance=TenMiles&searchDistanceLearning=False&searchClickedLinkPosition=

Are you under MH team? If so, they will have employment advisors you can talk to. To be perfectly honest, at this stage you may just have to go with something low skilled and low paid like supermarket staff, reception, etc. But going forward, I would start putting a plan together to get your basic qualifications at the local further education college and think about what additional training you can take to further your prospects.
You can literally learn anything from carpentry to hairdressing without needing much in a way of pre-requisite qualifications.
I tell you my story. I dropped out of school without qualifications quarter of the century ago. I worked in chains like Starbucks and got promoted to team leader after a couple of years. I then went ahead and did my beauty therapy qualification and started working in salons. Did additional qualifications and became an educator. In my mid 20th I applied my leadership and my educator experience and got a job as a hairdressing salon manager and massage trainer which I did for a number of years. In my early 30th, I took a break from work and applied for a university degree. By this point, they were not interested in my school qualifications as I was a mature student. I finished the course and then applied for clinical science masters. I now work in the NHS. So it was a long and bumpy road but what carried me through is the drive to always learn new skills. And this year I am launching my own business.
Don't dwell on the past and don't feel like not achieving qualifications will permanently stunt your career growth. Just set a path and follow it, you never know where you may end up.

Speaking of NHS, there is always a need for a good healthcare assistant. I believe you don't need any qualifications for that currently. And then you can see what other training and development opportunities come up.