Finding work with chronic pain condition

[Inthewronglane]

Have posted this in another section but reposting here hoping for more traffic.

Hi. I've literally just joined this forum because I'm at my wits end struggling to find employment due to my combination of health conditions. I just wondered, has anyone found themselves in a similar position and managed to get themselves back into employment? If so, have you any advice?
To provide some background info, I have been out of work for over 10 years now, firstly due to severe mental illness and in more recent years, interstitial cystitis (IC) aka bladder pain syndrome and vulvodynia.
Before I developed IC/BPS, I did several years of voluntary work (mostly admin based) to try to rehabilitate myself and gain experience in other roles when it became clear I would need a career change from my previous job / qualifications as I could no longer function in these areas.
However, just as my mental health was improving, I developed IC and vulvodynia and although my symptoms have improved a lot since the initial onset, I'm still restricted in the amount of physical activity I can do (including day to day things like walking, lifting etc), can't travel independently or tolerate frequent rides in the car. I also rely on a restricted diet; loose, thin clothing, and supportive footwear to minimise flare ups as even the slightest things can set off pain and urgency.
With my limited work history, lack of skills, mental health difficulties (including traits of ASD) and now IC and vulvodynia, I am losing hope of ever working again and I can't live like this. I need to work!
Any ideas welcome. TIA

Do you have any sales experience? Would something like this work? Remote Inbound Call Centre Sales Advisor Luton - Reed.co.uk

Thanks for the suggestion but I'm really not good with sales (worked in customer service previously). Any other ideas are welcome! I keep searching job sites but not finding anything suitable for me from an entry-level. The problem is I could do with doing an apprenticeship or trainee role but understandably, these are all full time in-person roles which I can't manage due to my health condition ☹️ I do qualify for benefits but want to get off them in preparation for government changing legislation.

What level of education do you have? Do you have a degree? This might suit since you have admin experience:
Administrator | Job details | Find a job

Thanks, I'll take a look. I do have a degree but not a useful one (wish I'd realised this before but was very naive at that age). Although I have admin experience, it is only in a voluntary capacity and so was pretty basic as they didn't have the means to do much training.

I would look at doing some kind of business NVQ or at least doing some advanced Microsoft courses.

Look at Medigold. They have remote admin jobs available, no sales at all and fully work from home. The pay isn’t ideal (living wage) but it’s a job.

Thank you 😊 That's not a bad idea

Thank you. Again, that sounds like a good idea

Have you looked at jobs with your local authority? They usually have lots of support for people with disabilities and offer reasonable adjustments

Yes, someone.else told me about this so I'm checking regularly to see if anything comes up. Thanks for the suggestion though and taking time to respond.

Check out opportunities with the civil service even if not advertised as home based they might agree to that as a reasonable adjustment

Good luck 🤞