Need to get back to work, no qualifications, anxiety!

[Ijustneed]

I need to return to work soon. I've been off ill following my divorce and various other life changing events. In the past I've worked as typist/secretary in various fields. Due to my anxiety I don't think I'd cope well with customer service as I struggle with phone calls (I don't make them at all) and cannot type all day anymore as my fingers seize up. I'm in my fifties.

I need to cover my costs, so approx. £1100 a month. No idea if I'd get any help if I didn't. However, I accept I'm looking at NMW.

I'm single, no dependent children, but I do run a small car as I live quite remotely.

I've no idea what I could do/cope with. Sorry, I know this sounds pathetic, I just don't want to crash and burn and end up on benefits again.

I've been self employed as a typist in the past, but again couldn't type all day now due to pain in my fingers and never did earn very much, as there are many people doing the work for a pittance out there.

I only have a few gcses. I had my children young, and was a SAHM for quite a while on and off. I'm bilingual, but not confident enough to work using my second language and I cannot afford to do any training.

Any suggestions of suitable jobs?

I thought about being a carer, but I'm not very strong, with back and shoulder problems/injuries and I'm quite squeamish, so unsure about helping people with personal care, although I'm good with people on a one to one basis.

I'm aware my age is gOing to stand in my way. Also living in a quiet area.

I've no problem working from home, but doubt I'd earn enough.

Are you currently claiming benefits? If so you may well be entitled to further assistance re training or setting up a business. So that would be something to explore.

Are you computer literate in the basic Microsoft packages - word, excel, PowerPoint, outlook. If so you could look at a role that is above nmw but involving computers. For example you could substitute any income via peoplebythehour roles. You could look into working from home - charity sector tends to be more appreciative of more mature employees for example. But you would need to accept that you'd need to be able to use a telephone for professional reasons, not for sales.

Obviously retail and hospitality work has many opportunities, and covers a spectrum of hours.

Yes I'm currently claiming ESA, so sick pay. However, I have no contract with anyone who could provide information regarding training or any help getting back into work, as I'm not required to attend the job centre due to the extent of my illness.

Most of the time I cope using emails instead of phone calls, but hope as I get back on track I'll be able to cope with some phone calls, I'd just struggle with a job centred around using the phone mainly.

Yes I've had training in Microsoft office package, albeit a long time ago, but I'm fairly confident using computers.

Are you claiming pip?

How short of the 1100 a month are you?

You realise that if you're in the not required to work group, moving into work would probably mean if you gave it up, you'd struggle to get that status again? In theory, if you work under 16 hours, and earning up to £131.50, you can still receive esa.

What is the driving factor to work if you've obviously been signed off as not being fit?

Yes I'm claiming pip at the moment. I'm just about managing, but the worry and stress about the whole system is getting me down and receiving ESA with mental health problems is extremely difficult, so I'm likely to lose it at my next review anyway. Plus I've no feeling of self worth and I'm bored and lonely. Ideally I'd ease myself back into work, but I can't afford to do that. I'd just like to feel I'm making a contribution to society, get out of the house and know my money is mine, earned by myself and I don't have to worry about the next assessment.

In theory yes you can work up to 16 hours, but if I did that I'd fail my next assessment, as they'd claim my mental health has improved.

What language are you bilingual in? I know you state you're not feeling confident about it, but you could be paid a lot as a specialist translator ie police, refuge, hostel. Plus you'd only be expected to do it via a 3 party phone call.

PIP isn't taken into account for benefit/working. It's a totally seperate benefit that's classed as 'needs based', so effectively if you did start working they wouldn't necessarily look to remove it in the same way as ESA, JSA, Universal Credit. It might be that you have a physical/mental health need that qualifies for PIP, but you still need that even if working part/full time.

I'm bilingual in German, I lived there for a long time, but I've no qualifications except gcse.

I couldn't deal with interpretation via telephone, I'd be anxious all the time. And I think they'd still want to see qualifications.

Yes, agree about pip, but I still think any sort of work will invalidate a mental health claim, i.e if you're able to work you're capable of working full time and earning enough.

Personally I'd look into the volunteer sector and discuss it with your jobcentre advisor (get it all down on email/paper so you have proof!). You can't be financially penalised for doing limited volunteer work, as many people who couldn't fathom undertaking a 15-35 working week due to mental/physical health would be overcome by having a 'contract', with everything that entails. Example - you may feel up to volunteering 2-3 a week, but then again you may have a day you can't leave the house. Whilst an employer can obviously penalise you for that, a volunteer basis cannot hold you to the same standard (nor can the jobcentre). I think there's a massive fear surrounding those on benefits feeling they'll be taken away just because they feel up to doing something on a 'good day', but if you do want to return to work it's in their interest to support you.

Not sure of earning potential but you could look at translating documents online?

I'd also look again at adult social care its not all 'lifting and wiping bums' 😁. There's 1:1 jobs that require not much more than being a care facilitator. You might be spending 8hrs with someone and assisting them to access the shops, or facilitate budgeting around spending, helping prepare a meal, accompanying to a hospital/GP appointment. There's also 'overnights' where you're basically just on hand if someone needs to have another person in the vicinity incase they need some basic support.

Thanks.

If I'm honest, today I don't think I can do it. Not full time. Not yet.

I don't have a contact at the job centre, a work advisor that I can speak to.

I've applied for a carer job and been asked to an interview. What questions do you think I should ask? I don't want to sound to them like I'm picky, but equally I want to know what they'll expect me to do and whether it'll involve wiping people's bums I guess

Could you start by doing a little voluntary work at a care home in the form of Activities and then maybe if you are good at it, pick up some hours. One good thing about zero contracts are the ability to up and down your hours.

It's like having a number of very dear grandparents if you go to an old folks home or a home for people with dementia. It is really good fun and leaves you satisfied helping make lives fulfilling and happy in the moment.

I meant to say most homes will fund Care Certificates which are quite a useful qualification not only in the care field but poss useful in schools too.

Excellent OP! Is it agency, full time, part time? What does the job spec state it entails? I'd ask about what training they offer. You should definately be offered NVQ level 2/3 Health and Social care. Plus if it's not the right fit for you at least it's interview experience which is a massive positive step.

This is what the ad days:

"No experience is necessary as full induction training, completion of the Care Certificate and ongoing support is provided. You must be able to drive, hold a full driving licence and have use of a car, you will also need business class insurance cover.

We deliver very high standards of care and support to each and every one of our service users. We strive for great quality, loyalty, the encouragement of independence and delivering care with dignity and respect. Your role will be to ensure that our Service Users care needs are met to an exceptional standard.

Flexibility is key - you will be required to work a variety of different days and shifts throughout the week, including mornings (ideal for you early risers!), afternoons, and evenings. Yet, our rotas give you alternate weekends free to have that work - life balance that can be so rare in care…....

Good rates of pay £9.00 - £9.40 per hour
Generous mileage allowance payable at 20p per mile. Please note that you must have a full driving licence with business class insurance, and a car to enable you to visit service users
Paid Training
Exceptional job satisfaction where you make the difference
Support from the office and career progression opportunities
Recognition for the amazing job you do...

Here at xxxx we have a team of excellent care workers who provide quality care, support and assistance to predominantly older people across [area] who want to continue to live in their own homes and maintain their independence for longer.

We need kind and caring people, with and without experience, to visit people in their homes and deliver a level of care to others that you would want yourself or your own family member to receive."

So it doesn't specify personal care or not then. Which it may/may not require, but you'll really not know until the interview. Home carers will either work in pairs, or alone. But you'd definately be teamed up with someone else for initial training. If it did involve personal care there would be assistance aids to prevent injury to the client and yourself. I'd mention back issues in the interview not as a 'I won't do this', but as a 'this is what I can do'. DC did home care and their daily routine looked like this, going to a person's home to make breakfast, lunch, tea, possibly doing minimum tidy up (ie clear dishes/empty bin, quick hoover), accompany to the shops, checking meds were taken, sitting for half an hour for a chat after making them a cup of tea, assisting with dressing/undressing. If it's home care with mileage you can ask to be based on a catchment area near your home so there's not loads of driving (extra petrol expenses), or hanging about in between visits to different clients. I'd also ask does the company pay for uniform and DBS check?

Plus I know you don't have a work coach at the job centre due to ESA and just submitting fit notes I'd guess? But if you do attend the interview and decide you'd like to go ahead with a job offer. I'd still request an appointment with a job advisor to discuss planning to return to work, and ask them to run a financial assessment to see if you'll actually be better off. It's in the job centres interest to support you, but it's also in their interest to get people off benefits iyswim, so I'd approach it carefully. There's lots of specific ESA/PIP forums that can probably offer much more detailed information tbh. It's the shit double edged sword of wanting to be employed/but fear of ending up worse off! 😕

Also whilst you don't have to declare to PIP if you return to work, as you rightly state that will come up in your next assessment. As far as I'm aware they can't ask for any payments back but obviously payments could stop. If you have a window of 12-18mths prior to next assessment, I'd personally try to view it as 'emergency money', rather than include it in your projected monthly living expenses. I'm assuming you'll be on the lower rate, which I'd look to place in a seperate bank account and let it accrue for however long the run on is till your assessment date, and then you'll have a pot for car expenses ie repairs or possibly replacement for a run about if needed. The main problem with ESA is that as the Universal Credit program continues to be rolled out nationwide, you'll eventually get caught up in it at some point. So yes, if you can move back into employment its better to do it sooner vs later. However, I'm far from an expert! So I can only offer my opinion, and no doubt there's others far more qualified to advise you.

I have an interview on 5th March. I've explained about my back and shoulder injuries and they said to come anyway, there are suitable positions. It'll be interesting.

I could easily and happily assist with meals, shopping etc. I'd enjoy that. I just can't cope with office stress and dealing with lots of people at once. I can't sit all day, I'm happier moving about.

I'll see how the interview goes and what they say.

Good luck, OP