At what point do you give up

[Mol1628]

Rejections or just being ghosted. One job I did get was so awful I had to leave. I was promised a volunteer job but then they just didn’t get back to me. So I can’t even get unpaid work.
Had an interview on Monday. Not heard anything back but they’ve been active on social media since. It’ll be another no. It was always going to be the same. I was perfect for the job but there’s always someone better.

Can’t keep using my time and energy and effort into this. It’s just so bad for my mental health I can barely muster the energy to get out of bed and shower.

I’ve got a good husband lovely children and everything but if I miss the days where I was free and independent with my own money and goals and aspirations.

No I really do need to do the Microsoft courses thanks for reminding me I will look into that next.

Can you volunteer in a charity shop? I manage a charity shop and there are opportunities for training (NVQ etc), many of my volunteers have gone on to have paid retail or customer service jobs. Make sure you ask exactly what training opportunities are available.

Many charity shop volunteers go on to become assistant managers or managers of their own branch. One of my recent volunteers was managing a large charity shop within a year of volunteering with me (a bigger, more prestigious one than my own ).

Thanks, The volunteer role I’ve applied for is in a charity shop but doing the admin side of things.

That's very disappointing if no one has got back to you, I would politely chase it. Are they taking up references? That can take time.

The one where no one got back to me was last summer. 🤷‍♀️ Was all set up and ready to start post lockdown they said they’d phone me once they got opened up again and just never bothered.

But I have applied for a new voluntary role today so I’ll see what comes of that. But I imagine it’ll go on the list of failures 🤣

That wasn’t a charity shop though that was a animal rescue centre. New one is a charity shop.

Good luck with the charity shop application.

Thank you. Better than not trying at all I guess!

How old are your children? Could they go to childcare (after school club maybe) so that you are not quite as restricted to school hours (even maybe one day a week as a start)?

If you are not getting benefits now have a look at entitledto website or contact citizens advice. If both you and your husband are working you might qualify for universal credit childcare help.

Yes they could go to childcare if I got a job I suppose!

We don’t qualify for any benefits,we’ve managed ok on one wage for a long time, definitely not well off but doing ok, but I really would rather have my own job and income , it’s not a situation I’m happy with.

I know quite a few people who after a long time of not working started doing voluntary work at the CAB and this led to offers both within the organisation and outside because they had updated their skills by volunteering. Rather than just applying for anything have a think about what you would really like to do. You mentioned vetinary, have you thought about approaching some local vets for voluntary work, reception, cleaning cages, anything just so you have up to date work experience.

Got an interview next week for voluntary role. Feels like ‘here we go again’ where I get my hopes up then they’re ruined. They’ll probably want someone with more experience even for voluntary work. 🙄 but I’m trying still despite wanting to give up!

Charity shops are crying out for volunteers... I would find it very surprising if you couldn't get anything. In my small town alone there are over ten shops looking for volunteers.

I’ve got a volunteer telephone/admin role for a charity.
I’m a bit (a lot) nervous as I’m worried I won’t be able to do it. But it’s something to start with isn’t it?!

That is good news - congratulations!

Try to get as much out of it as you can. Learn about the charity and the cause it works for. After a while see if you can expand your area of responsibility. Choose free courses that tie in with this job. Etc … Have a ferocious eye on your CV during all your work.

Thank you

I know they provide first aid training and cpr training sometimes for volunteers so I’ll ask about that when settled.

From first impressions they seem fairly decent.

I think you have to look at it from the employers pov (yes, even for voluntary roles). If there are 2 or more people going for one role, what have you got on your CV, to make them choose you ?

So, if it is 12 years since you almost got the VN training, I'm guessing you have to be 30 - possibly you could be more. If you have been out of the workplace for 7 years, what have you been able to put on your CV, to show you have the skills the jobs you are applying for might need ?
You said you would like to do admin work - can you demonstrate where you have taken notes of meetings / circulated agendas / used spreadsheets ? If not, what about volunteering for this type of role in your community - maybe at something your dc do(es) ? Brownies? Cubs ? sports teams? Dance class ? PTA ? Governing Body at the school ? Or something they used to do - a stay and play maybe or playgroup ? Most voluntary run organisations are crying out for people to take on roles like that - doesn't have to be something your dc do - could be a wider area thing. Generally they are evening meetings, so presumably your dp would be in for the dc?