What's a stable job I can train for quickly?

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I'm going through a divorce after 20 years as a SAHM. I've applied for 67 jobs so far, had two interviews and no offers. I'm applying for admin, reception type jobs. Can't do cleaning, catering or retail as I have disc problems in my back. No lifting, standing for hours or repetitive movements.

I have a BA and an MA in art history, an MA in creative writing and have published two novels in the last two years, but I don't make enough money from writing.

I need to find a career where I can make a decent wage (£30,000+) quickly. I have a little time to retrain if necessary, say two years, before the money runs out. What can I do?

I looked at teaching and shadowed a friend who teaches, but I don't think I'd be good at it. I looked at training as a therapist/counsellor but two people have said that the market is flooded with therapists. But I think I would enjoy and be good at that. What does Mumsnet think?

Any other ideas please?

20 years of doing nothing?
Go into a lower level job and PROGRESS up the scale. The most important factor is getting your foot in the door. Try institutions that will offer promotion.
My career place is desperate for high level admin.

Another vote for civil service - started on 25k but now on 45k 3 years in.

Speech therapy can be a year's post-grad (or maybe 2?). It's very poorly paid though.

SLT is paid on the same scale as other AHPs.

And yes it's 2 years postgraduate or 3-4 years undergraduate, separately from the apprenticeship route.

The civil service is sounding like a great option.

I totally agree with those who say watch out for the march of AI in certain sectors! I had a serious look at proofreading, editing and copy writing last year but a lot of the software is amazing these days so it's not worth trying to break into anymore. I also know from experience that there is a lot less work in finance admin than there was 10-20 years ago, and the pay is relatively less than it was, too.
I'm currently writing/marketing romantic potboilers and self-help e-books, but if that doesn't start paying off soon, then I'll be looking to go into something like laser tattoo removal (it's projected to be a big growth market) or I'm seriously considering training as a speech therapist. (I have a child who had significantly delayed language development so have some relevant knowledge and experience!)

Public sector, one of the research councils. There's an arts one although quite small, so id recommend looking for either or marketing (in some councils it's known as Impact and Engagement) or admin (PA/EA) in one of the other UKRI research councils as many of those roles start at around 30k if not higher. Then once you're in you could keep an ear to the ground for any in the arts council. Think the website is Top Career jobs, variety of locations and will likely be hybrid

You guys are amazing. So much good information! I'm going to look into all of your recommendations this weekend. Feeling much more optimistic.

There's massive shortage of planners in local authorities and the government have said they will fund hiring more. You can start without the qualification and then work towards it.
The pay is not amazing but should fit your needs and most of the work is hybrid these days and can be quite flexible.
More info on the RTPI website.

I agree that the Civil Service is a good option, AO level roles can pay 26/27k and EO level roles generally pay about 30k. One setback however is that the application process can take a long time. It took me about a year from applying for my current job to starting it, and that time doesn't include the roles I applied for and was rejected from before that. However I think if you apply from an agency it's quicker.

I should also add that down the line planners can earn quite a bit. My friend is on £95k public sector senior role and could be a lot more in the private sector.
Quite interesting, also!

I recommmend doing lots of volunteering now. That’s how I got back into work after many years being a SAHM. You’ll gain skills and experience and make contacts.

You can do a 2 year social work masters (op has a BA and MA), also social work has several fast track programmes (fronline and thinkahead) where you can train even faster. And there are social work apprenticeships. There are huge shortages so always jobs

@Oceangrey what kind of planning?

Digital marketing / SEO specialist

Reading with interest. Also in similar circumstances and haven't worked perm since 2018. After which lots of bitty freelance. At the end of pandemic it was good. I had plenty of copywriting jobs and was able to get £300-500 a day. That is gone now and I struggled to get anything. I'm late 40s and also separated and mental health and circs have stopped me trying. I'm over fighting and hustling for work I'm over qualified for and could do in a heartbeat and think as you are I'd be better off in a lower paying perm role with security. I just don't know where to start and there isn't a defined way in as a support. Especially when you're dealing with industries that have contracted by half and there isn't work to be had.

Civil service is a good idea but not easy to get into, lots of hoops to jump though. Someone upthread suggested police or ambulance control room which is worth considering. Or call centre work for a large organisation (banks, insurance companies etc). If you shine at that sort of work there are often opportunities for moving upwards, or sideways to a more technical role. You just have to get your foot in the door.

why is some jobs requiring Persian Language in demand ?

just realised its Farsi, that helps explain it

Teaching creative writing to adults and home ed kids. Workshops

These expect specialist knowledge and prior experience in relevant fields.

You'd struggle to walk into one at a grade paying 30k plus with no experience and it's a tough field at the moment as many universities are on a recruitment freeze or are running voluntary severance schemes.

Sorry, town planning!

I have similar qualifications to you but a permanent work history.

Whatever you do, don’t train as an art therapist. The only paid work for art therapists currently is teaching other art therapists. it’s a pyramid scheme and I’ve seen dozens of people I know pay £££ for the training and then have to give it up almost immediately.

avoid universities and the museum sector too - funding is very precarious. Although you could get some useful volunteering experience in a museum.

I would recommend civil service or nhs admin jobs. Start on a relatively low band and work up. If you’re in SE London then you’re well placed for lots of nhs trusts and also govt departments.

with the nhs, you could gain some experience volunteering via the PALS dept of a hospital.

NHS admin?
111 or emergency services call handler?

teaching involves a lot of standing and bending.