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Original poster

Does anyone work flexi, part time from home - What do you do?

44 replies

PanannyPanoo · 15/03/2023 11:24

I had to give up work 5 years ago to look after my son who has medical needs. this cut our income in half.
He attends school every morning and I then give him medical treatment at home and home school core lessons missed. I have 2 other children, 1 at secondary, 1 at primary. So am doing 3 school runs a day. I have 2-3 hours free in the mornings, providing he is well enough to go to school and 2 after school, but this is often when they are all in bed. He often needs support in the night so working nights is not possible.
I receive carers allowance and DLA for his needs. My husband works, and we are Ok financially, if we budget and are very careful.
I could work a day at weekends in theory, but would rather not.

2 years ago I inherited £5K. The difference in our lives has been considerable. We had a holiday in a cottage. I have been able to buy all Christmas/birthday presents without thinking. The boiler broke and we could get it fixed without bother. Things like, buying the coat in the colour that they like rather than the cheapest, has been lovely.

Is there any work out there that I can do from my home, doing hours that could differ each day. I used to be a Senior Manager in a respite home for teenagers with life limiting conditions. So my skills are not easily transferable. I am educated to degree level.

If I could earn in the region of £50-£100 per week it would improve our quality of life considerably. Any ideas would be great.

OP posts:
America12 · 15/03/2023 16:10

EmmaGrundyForPM · 15/03/2023 13:28

Could you do a couple of sleep-in night shifts a week? The pay isn't great but it means you don't lose the weekends with your dc.

She can't do nights.

Moveforward · 15/03/2023 16:17

I'd be looking in the area of education or the oversight boards of the work you used to do.

Tutoring/marking exams/oversight reports that sort of area

SophiaSW1 · 15/03/2023 16:19

Civil service

Beaglesonlyplease · 15/03/2023 16:34

I’m in exactly the same position as you OP. I’ve been tempted to try to get a job in a bar just to have done outside contact as when my child is well and at school I’m bored and lonely (I have a much higher skills set but I’m craving lighthearted conversations etc as thd rest of life is so serious with a medically fragile child),

Original poster
PanannyPanoo · 15/03/2023 17:41

Foreversearch · 15/03/2023 13:24

@PanannyPanoo a poster put this thread on the Money Matters thread. It has some different ways to supplement your income. www.mumsnet.com/talk/money-matters/4759761-ways-to-supplement-your-income

Thank you so much, some great ideas that I haven't heard of before.

OP posts:
Original poster
PanannyPanoo · 15/03/2023 17:44

EmmaGrundyForPM · 15/03/2023 13:28

Could you do a couple of sleep-in night shifts a week? The pay isn't great but it means you don't lose the weekends with your dc.

I need to be home, as he often needs support during the night, I tried waking nights, the money was fine, but the impact on my husband was too great, he needs to be fully functioning at work for other people's safety.

OP posts:
Original poster
PanannyPanoo · 15/03/2023 17:45

Moveforward · 15/03/2023 16:17

I'd be looking in the area of education or the oversight boards of the work you used to do.

Tutoring/marking exams/oversight reports that sort of area

I'll look into that, thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
PanannyPanoo · 15/03/2023 17:49

Marblessolveeverything · 15/03/2023 13:56

Would looking into the areas of your expertise that are can be outsourced - writing policies, research projects, while lecturing or training others in a related space may not be practical how about external examiner/assessor - you would be a subject mater expert.

Possibly, but I'm 5 years out of date now and the CQC standards change regularly, I think I'd feel out of my depth. I have done no training in the past 5 years and my life is all about my son's needs. I'm not sure I have the confidence.

OP posts:
Original poster
PanannyPanoo · 15/03/2023 17:51

CandlelightGlow · 15/03/2023 14:24

I know you said you'd rather not work weekends, but a part time evening job on a Friday and Saturday evening might be really good for you. You'd get tips, plus 2 evening shifts would give you around what you are looking for. The jobs would potentially be more accessible than WFH jobs.

I WFH, it's flexible in that I can choose my working pattern to suit me and they are great with agreeing to reduced hours, but I started this job in office. Admin jobs are good for this especially if you can find a company that's embraced post Covid WFH.

Most jobs will be similar in that while you can agree a flexible pattern it will still likely need to be a consistent pattern.

Similar to other PPs the only other option would be to work as agency or bank staff, taking on days that suited you, or freelance work/self employment is the real option in terms of dictating your own hours.

My last more out of the box suggestion would be to pick up ad hoc jobs like dog walking or dog transporting, or other pet related jobs like small pet boarding. I'm not joking, I have a local small pet boarder and was so grateful for her existence, I can board my pets while going on holiday, and she was fully booked when I made a short notice enquiry!

Thank you so much for all your thoughts - my children would love the small animal care one. Certainly something to look into, and one that hasn't crossed my mind.

OP posts:
Original poster
PanannyPanoo · 15/03/2023 17:52

UnfinishedUserna · 15/03/2023 14:26

Sign up to Neevo, I can make 100+ a month for less than an hour a week doing their Data collection work. Easy peasy!

I have just looked into this and will definitely do some research, this sounds perfect. Thank you so much.

OP posts:
Original poster
PanannyPanoo · 15/03/2023 17:54

America12 · 15/03/2023 16:08

Could you look into NVQ assessment? You could fit in visits if needed round school hours ?

Show quote history

I used to be an NVQ assessor as part of my role. It's a good idea, but so much work for so little money! I think the stress of the deadlines would be tricky too. Thank you so much for the idea though.

OP posts:
Original poster
PanannyPanoo · 15/03/2023 17:57

Beaglesonlyplease · 15/03/2023 16:34

I’m in exactly the same position as you OP. I’ve been tempted to try to get a job in a bar just to have done outside contact as when my child is well and at school I’m bored and lonely (I have a much higher skills set but I’m craving lighthearted conversations etc as thd rest of life is so serious with a medically fragile child),

It's a tough road sometimes isn't it. Hope you find something that brings you some company and fun.

OP posts:
HairyFeline · 15/03/2023 18:05

It’s an option to assess social care students from home. You’d need to do your assessors qualification but you’d be good to go likely enough.

WashableVelvet · 15/03/2023 18:22

You didn’t ask about this, but just in case you receive Carers Allowance, don’t forget that comes with an income cap

Xant · 15/03/2023 21:20

Proofreading? Keep an eye onnindeed.com for remote opportunities.

Or this kind of thing might be an option. Don’t fall into the trap so many women do of not applying because you don’t feel qualified. Do what Donald Trump and Boris Johnson did: ask for the job yoh really eant then try to blag it 😬
uk.indeed.com/m/viewjob?jk=392347907f600711&from=serp&prevUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fuk.indeed.com%2Fm%2Fjobs%3Fq%3Dproofreading%26l%3DLondon%26radius%3D25%26sc%3D0kf%253Aattr%2528DSQF7%2529%253B%26from%3Dserpso

Xant · 15/03/2023 21:20

Sorry meant to post this link
www.elevenwriting.com/careers

kos88 · 18/03/2023 00:17

I think if you have basic admin skills you would be ok? I was an audio typist for a bit. If you’ve been a registered manager then you’re used to producing reports and meetings etc so summary writing would be easy. I get work through Ubiqus.

sabitha · 18/03/2023 06:29

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whenshallwethreemeet · 18/03/2023 06:57

Are you happy to do caring type work or do you do so much for your family that you want something completely different?
If you posted on childcare.co.U.K. you might well find some families looking for some mother's help or housekeeping work which could be done term time only & mornings. Alternatively (and you might need to advertise this elsewhere), a companion type role for an older person.
Given how many places are struggling for staff at the moment, a coffee shop or care home might take you on. Years ago when I worked in retail in an independent shop we had someone in a similar position to you as she was so good and were so desperate for staff that it was better to have her in even some of the time that not to have her at all.

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