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Covid

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Original poster

To ask how those who are self-employed are coping through Covid-19?

17 replies

Isla2021 · 27/01/2021 15:25

Hi all :)

A thread for those who are self-employed, a place to chat and to ask and how you are coping in the current climate?

My dp is self employed and works in the entertainment industry, we are both feeling disheartened and worried for the future. Our joint salary has been greatly reduced and dp is concerned about the future in his current industry - poor timing with us wanting to buy our first house and get married, it feels like all our hopes and dreams have been dashed!

I am fortunate that I am in a secure job as a key worker on the front line so at least that's something!

OP posts:

EcoCustard · 27/01/2021 16:40

I am self employed in the events and weddings industry. Sadly as I hadn’t been self employed long enough I didn’t qualify for any help. Still furious about that. DH is self employed and has some work although winter is always quiet. Lockdown and Brexit have impacted supply of goods needed too. He did qualify for the help though but has lost far more in the way of income. Financially struggling. Now trying to homeschool two kids now, look after toddler and preschooler.

Absolutely sick of it all now and feel utterly forgotten about.

BornIn78 · 27/01/2021 16:46

I'm struggling with boredom more than anything. I've had some decent SEISS payouts and for DH it's business as usual, so no financial worries. DC old enough (college age) that home schooling isn't an issue.

I'd quite like to know the end was in sight and I'm looking forward to seeing a pathway out of this mess, with some confirmation of where figures need to be at for life to start up again.

Neron · 27/01/2021 17:34

I'm a therapist and it is illegal for me to work. I've not been SE long enough, so get bugger all financial help except for the job seekers they finally agreed to give me.
I'm doing odd jobs for NMW here and there. Absolutely sick to the back teeth of this nonsense.

PilatesPeach · 27/01/2021 17:38

Yes self-employed here. Live alone. Only worked for 3 months since March. No SEISS as too recently self-employed. The only jobs advertised currently are care and I don't want to do that I'm afraid.
I am doing voluntary work at a vaccine centre to keep busy but some days I feel despair and hopeless. My dog gives me a reason to go on some days.

Devlesko · 27/01/2021 17:42

We are a family of musicians and entertainers, small business but just ourselves.
We didn't qualify for anything except a loan, so glad we didn't take it though, because it's gone on so long I'd hate to have to pay that back on a low income.

TheDrsDocMartens · 27/01/2021 17:46

Self employed but didn’t get any funding or benefits.
Barely working because I’ve not got the experience for some work/limited opportunities. And I’ve kids at home.
This time last year I was heading for main wage earner. Now living off dh wages and overdraft/credit card.

BiggerThanCheeses · 27/01/2021 18:03

Self-employed, as is DH. No help available for our circs. I just put in my UCAS application to retrain in healthcare. August-December were the worst months in my entire business, including the first 2 years. January was abysmal but has picked up a lot this past week, but I don't think it's enough to support us and IDK how long it'll last.

DeanImpala67 · 27/01/2021 18:12

Self employed here, fortunately I have been registered with HMRC for years so qualified for the SEISS which has helped. Work dropped off completely last March but has increased again after I changed to an online format, and is now steady again. Had to adapt my working methods but all ok now.

HesterShaw1 · 27/01/2021 18:15

Government handouts basically. Ours is a seasonal business.

We were allowed to open between July and October and made a chunk of money then. Luckily for us, our self assessment history meant we were due decent help. It feels all kind of wrong accepting it, however I'm not about to hand it back.

I absolutely dread to think what some people are going through.

And all of this will need to be paid for somehow.

neddle · 27/01/2021 18:22

For everyone that didn’t qualify for any grants etc, please check out the group #excludedUK on Facebook and Twitter.
They’ve been a great help to me, signposting me to support available and generally being a group that understands. They’re campaigning for support for everyone, and some new schemes have come about because of them.

Neron · 27/01/2021 18:39

I'm on the excluded UK group. The resource and support there is fantastic. Also very humbling, because I've been moaning about my situation and I've had many things put in to perspective on that group. I also recommend to join it, if people aren't already on there

TheDrsDocMartens · 27/01/2021 21:10

#ExcludedUK is great for just not feeling alone.

I didn’t get SEISS because I had a couple of part time jobs when I was setting up. Last one finished mid 2018 but according to the chancellor I could have been furloughed...

Frazzled2207 · 27/01/2021 21:22

I run a kids activity business. Needless to say it's been pretty hopeless for a year now. I have turned it into a mostly zoom business and have quite a few paying customers but turnover is down about 70%. Very fortunately I have very low overheads so still profitable but hardly making a living. Husband has decent salary (but is being made redundant in the spring which is when things will get very interesting...)
I feel luck in a way in that I've had time to homeschool the kids and I got some SEISS grant but not nearly as much as I think I should have because I've only been SE for 4 years (which you'd think was enough...)

Before I set up the business I was fairly well paid in a professional job and am now making moves to try to return to that when things pick up a bit (not because I want to, but out of financial need)

reprehensibleme · 27/01/2021 21:29

Self employed in tourism /hospitality. Luckily up and running for 14years so eligible for SEISS scheme which has been a life saver. Hoping I still have a business when this is over.

Spacecadetagain · 28/01/2021 07:47

Self employed arts and entertainment, business died overnight when the pandemic hit with no idea when we can return to that line of work . I wasn’t entitled to any help and set up a new business in October , however I now can’t work due to hone schooling 😕😕 I’m on my own and also have long covid . Everything looks a bit bleak tbh

cedarandfern43 · 28/01/2021 08:41

Self employed photographer here, can't believe how little I've been able to work since covid began. Money is tight, thankfully able to get help from government with self employed grants (even though it's less than I should get as I was on maternity leave during 2018/19).

Feel pretty down most days about not being able to work. Heart goes out to those of you who have self employed partners also or are not receiving any help at all. Stressful 😣

atomt · 28/01/2021 08:50

Self employed here and wasn't eligible for the grants because I had a part time job until early 2019 and then a very low income year for the rest of 2019 due to illness, and not eligible for benefits because I have some savings (for a rainy day/pension!).

Work has been very up and down with some months busier than ever and others very quiet - overall still doing ok-ish but getting a bit worried now after many quiet months.

I even applied for a couple of jobs but I expect I'm now competing with dozens and dozens of more people who have lost their jobs or been furloughed and I'm not even getting interviews (my sector is broadly related to retail/customer service/marketing etc. for small businesses ideally).

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