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Original poster

Here are my skills what can I do?

31 replies

mrboombasticwhy · 19/10/2023 10:21

Soooo. I'm almost 40 and all my life I've worked mainly in offices and since having kids 6 years ago I've been doing retail. I didn't do awfully well at school and didn't go to uni so no degree . I've never earns more than about 22k

I absolutely love helping ppl. I currently work in retail and love chatting to the older customers and helping ppl fill out forms if they get stuck etc . I helped someone pay his energy bill online recently as he had no idea

I kinda like the idea of working in a care home but without doing the domestic side as I wouldn't be able/comfortable doing that. But I'd be good as a helper/talker etc

I don't really have time or money to go back to studying but could happily learn on the job

Any ideas what I could do?

OP posts:
Original poster
mrboombasticwhy · 19/10/2023 10:22

PS by me working in offices I mean admin assistant roles

OP posts:
Polecat07 · 19/10/2023 10:29

What do you mean by the domestic side of care home work? The cleaning? The personal care? There won't be roles in care homes just to have a nice chat with the residents, and most have little time for that in reality as they are so short staffed that the practical stuff comes first and foremost - washing people, changing incontinence pads and dressings, administering meds etc

Hipnotised · 19/10/2023 10:50

Volunteer with the Samaritans?

Whattheflipflap · 19/10/2023 10:51

Enabling support work
menral health support work
HCA on a psychiatric ward

GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 19/10/2023 10:57

Is the Citizens Advice Bureau recruiting? Sounds like that sort of role would suit you. Or a customer support helpline, maybe?

AmyJohnsonsplane · 19/10/2023 10:59

Local council as a customer service advisor?

wildwestpioneer · 19/10/2023 11:09

Insurance company over the phone
Most call centres involve helping people
I work in IT and my job is basically helping customers
Vet receptionist
Well any receptionist really
Social services

Sounds like you enjoy human interaction, do you want it face to face or happy over the phone?

user1846385927482658 · 19/10/2023 13:01

Support worker
PA for disabled people
Social worker

Jethia · 19/10/2023 14:02

Support worker for people with learning disabilities or mental health issues.
NHS clinic receptionist, ward clerk/receptionist.
School admin/receptionist
Mental health advocacy worker.
Therapy support worker

TakingTheHorseToFrance · 19/10/2023 14:04

Legal secretary
Citizens advice

I used to work as a legal secretary in a small firm and very much there was a lot of helping people out at bad and good times it was rewarding

TokyoSushi · 19/10/2023 14:07

Something at the council? Maybe at one of their contact centres where people can go in and ask about benefits, council tax etc. Usually lots of this type of job on your council website.

Tryingtohelp12 · 19/10/2023 14:12

Care homes / social care companies often have ‘activities leader’ type roles. Not sure if they would give to someone with no support experience though!

egowise · 19/10/2023 14:16

Have you looked into degree apprenticeships?

This could be worth a look.

cpphelp · 19/10/2023 15:06

Activities assistant in a care home.

Go and mystery shop a card home for an 'elderly relative' and ask all about the activities on offer, then think about whether or not that's something you can do.
Often, activities assistants only work 9-3/4, but you will be expected to work every other weekend.

daisychain01 · 19/10/2023 17:10

I’m sorry if this sounds harsh but maybe your approach isn’t doing you any favours?

Instead of trying to get paid employment with your current limited skills you should at least consider areas for self improvement, by doing a skills audit and get skilled up on aspects such as computer skills / main Microsoft O365 packages, basic project management etc.

You'll be up against people of all ages with more basic skills than you. Possibly an agency can get you through the door but you’ll need some skills to offer first. Have you tried any of the free online courses? Self-help!

Grumplechops · 19/10/2023 17:12

Civil service admin/customer facing roles. Probably look at AO (would be around £22k) or EO grade. Once you’re in the civil service there’s usually good opportunity to move around and move up a grade.

Thighdentitycrisis · 19/10/2023 17:24

family support worker, outreach worker, benefits advisor, victim support, social care generally

CarrickBends · 19/10/2023 17:26

GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 19/10/2023 10:57

Is the Citizens Advice Bureau recruiting? Sounds like that sort of role would suit you. Or a customer support helpline, maybe?

CAB is voluntary though.

CesareBorgia · 19/10/2023 17:30

If you're super-organised and diplomatic, you might do well as a PA.

GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 19/10/2023 17:35

"CAB is voluntary though."

Is it? I'm sure I saw a ad for a paid position with them on my Facebook page the other day, that's why they came to mind.

Guttedme · 19/10/2023 18:27

CAB is voluntary though.

Not always unless it is dependent on area. In Ipswich for example for a vast number of years now I've seen you can get paid jobs
Work with us – Citizens Advice Ipswich

CAB isn't who I work for.

OP sometimes you can find the right domiciliary home care company who have clients who don't want personal care, just to chat and for you to do errands around the home they can't although it has been a decade since I did care. The business I worked for generally wanted someone to do 7-day weeks through as the hours were all over the place. A friend who didn't want to do personal care either did at one point think about doing flyers for their service.

Work with us – Citizens Advice Ipswich

https://www.citizensadviceipswich.org.uk/work-with-us/

shivbo2014 · 19/10/2023 18:42

Housing officer for a housing association.

Lochness1975 · 19/10/2023 21:49

Support worker for adults with mental health needs/learning disabilities

Activity co-ordinator in a care home

occupational therapist in a care home (similar to activity but assisting with appointments, shopping etc)

CAB advisor (they offer good training)

outreach worker

civil servant

BlastedPimples · 19/10/2023 22:37

Counsellor or therapist of some kind.