Advice on new start at 55 needed

[ClydeBay]

Long time MNetter, but I have name-changed for this for obvious reasons.

Apologies for the long post. I am just trying to avoid drip-feeding.

The situation:

• I have been a full-time carer to two disabled dc for the past 23 years.
• I have a chronic health condition that precludes long periods of standing and/or heavy work and could only manage a part time role.
• I would rather not go back into caring if possible, as it’s physically and emotionally demanding in a way that I don’t think I could manage on top of still being there for my now young adult dc.
• Before having my dc I worked in educational administration at a FE college and a university. I also did some part-time audio-typing and admin/secretarial temping along the way.
• I have decent O Levels (other than Maths) , 3 A Levels and a higher level qualification in Administration alongside the usual secretarial typing qualifications from back in the day.
• Unfortunately I failed Maths O’Level (first time and my resit).
• Back in the old days, my Accounting CSE was accepted in lieu of Maths, but obviously that is no longer the case. My last job involved a lot of spreadsheets and stats at an FE college, so I am definitely numerate.
• I used to be a whizz at Word and Excel, but haven’t used either for about a decade now.

• Dh was made redundant a few months ago and has had to take a step down and a 45% pay cut to secure a new job - lots of his colleagues still haven’t found anything. (He was in IT/AGILE for anyone who understands what has happened to that part of the IT sector.)
• I need to find a way to bring in a few hundred pounds a month by the time my youngest wants to go to university (they are just starting their A Levels).
• One of my two young adult dc (both have disabilities) is half-way through uni, commuting from home. The other is about to start an online degree, but will be physically unable to work outside of the home in the long-run even when they have qualified. So no hope of anyone but me and dh contributing the household finances for a few years.
• In the meantime, dc3 will only get minimum loan for uni. They are very willing to work alongside their studies, in fact they already have a part-time job and are doing everything they can to find something else with more hours.
• With only one salary coming into a family of 5, dh’s current job is barely covering our outgoings as it is. There is absolutely nothing out there for him around the level he was previously employed at. He can potentially move up where he is, but there will be a lot more stress for very little financial gain.
• My confidence is rock bottom, I feel so old and past it. The plan was never for me to need to work again. (We have paid into a small pension for me, I have a small one from my previous employment and dh’s pension is ok, not fantastic, but we will be ok between us in the long run.)

We can bump along as we are for a bit, so I want to put together a realistic action plan for me to be able to earn a few hundred pounds a month, rather than just randomly apply for jobs that I don’t have a hope of getting.

So, I guess my first step is taking Functional Maths. I was also considering trying for a voluntary role, but they are ridiculously competitive where we are and mostly taken by young people keen to bolster their CV’s or personal statements.

Has anyone been in a similar position and managed to move forwards or does anyone have any advice suggestions?

I think you’re brilliant!

Don’t worry too much about certificates

if you sign up with local job agencies they should be able to find some part time work for you x

You sound great and very resolute and practical. As other poster has said a good agency will get you work. I also think you must be eligible for UCredit and benefits for your children. Have you investigated this?

That’s very kind of you to say, but all my skills are so out of date. I can still type at speed, but would need retraining on relevant software etc. I’ve just used my iPad for the last 10 years and haven’t needed any more than the basic wp and spreadsheet package that it came with.

I looked up local ‘Back-to-Work’ schemes, but none of them seem suited to my situation. They all seem to start from scratch, whereas I need a refresher and don’t want to sit there for a few weeks learning how to log-in etc before we get to that point.

I did wonder about just signing up for a basic admin course at the local FE college, but I wouldn’t get funding as I am already qualified at a higher level and we can’t afford to fund it ourselves.

To be honest, temping would be ok, but that doesn’t seem to exist in the same way as it did over 20 years ago. No-one needs secretaries these days, as everyone does their own typing. I did look into a records clerk role at the local hospital, which seemed perfect, but at the end of the job spec it said ‘must be able to move large boxes of files’. So that was that.

I think I definitely need some sort of retraining plan, to make sure my skills are up to date and I have at least what is needed for a basic/entry level role. I don’t want a career, just a part time job that other people would probably find boring would do.

Job Centre run back to work schemes

they would put you forward especially if you set up a claim

you can’t walk into a job centre and browse jobs anymore

it’s all about ‘making a claim’ then you get an appointment to chat xx

@Claricecannotsleep I don’t think we would qualify for anything. Dh’s does earn a decent enough salary, it just doesn’t go very far for essentially 5 adults, especially in our area. The vast majority of households locally have both parents working.

It wasn’t an issue previously as dh had worked himself up to the top of his career path and was earning really well. Unfortunately, the IT world then decided they didn’t like that particular process anymore and it imploded almost overnight. There are a few jobs still around, but on less than he’s earning in his current role.

Can you recommend a decent agency at all? They have all changed since my day. We used to have several in our local town, but there don’t seem to be any listed locally at all now. Are they all online now?

What area do you live in? X

@DeeKitch Thank you. DH said he thought that might be the case.

So I have to put in a claim to be able to access back to work training? I assume then I will be expected to take whatever job they can get me, regardless of whether or not I am able to manage it though?

Everything is so different these days, it’s a learning curve even working out how to find a job!

@DeeKitch Warwickshire.

Still worth hitting DWP up they’ll give loads of advice

www.office-angels.com/job-results/k=-admin/l-warwick-uk?xy=52.2822,-1.5848

xx

It’s so tricky, I’m looking for a new position too and couldn’t believe I couldn’t go in and browse jobs!

had a lot of phone calls offering advice but no job opportunities

@DeeKitch Thank you. I will look up the local Job Centre and see what the process is then.

Sorry to hear you’re struggling too. It’s bonkers, politicians want us all working until we’re 70, but at the moment it’s seems like’s it’s tough for anyone at either end - young or old - to get a foot in the door.

Our local council had this big push on getting people back into work, dedicated website, support service etc, but when you actually tried to use it, it was essentially just a big information loop, that provided almost nothing useful. I was hopeful they might have a careers advisor I could book an appointment with, but apparently they don’t do that, they just tell you to visit the website for advice.

They should still help with job searching

www.gov.uk/find-a-job

one good thing is more of us old ‘uns in the work place xx

You may have already seen this, but this looks good if you’re in the right area for it. Specifically says that it now supports “Over 50’s who are looking to return to employment or re-train

https://skillshub.warwickshire.gov.uk/communities/fair-chance-employment

Have a look at civil service jobs op. You could apply for an entry level role grade AA or EO. Depending on the department, many have the option to work part time/ term time etc.
the application process is a total ball ache but it’s all about your strengths rather than qualifications and you can use none work related examples. DWP are definitely recruiting EO staff although that will vary by area- pays around 32k.
Depending on your household income if you qualify for benefit, there are a lot of things they can offer. The govt are running lots of new initiatives esp if you have a health condition.

Thank you @BachAndByte I will have a look at that.

@GinandGingerBeer is there a specific place they advertise civil service roles? I read on here recently that the civil service won’t accept anyone without Maths GCSE even for entry level roles, so had assumed there was no point in looking there yet.

Civil Service Jobs would be a good place to start. Civil Service job search - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK Good luck. :D

LinkedIn does some free and paid courses. Also OP I can recommend Brave Starts, I found it really helpful in terms of confidence building.

Thank you @AmberDuckBlue. Brave Starts does look interesting, but I can’t afford to spend £89 on it right now.

Lots of other helpful advice, but I'll pick up on one thing-

Word and Excel haven't changed that much over time. They look quite different though. If you can get logged in to use them at local library and play for a few hours, you may well find that your historical wizardry comes back. Anything you can't figure out - there are good help guides built in or Internet searches.

Might find your qualified sufficiently to be a library assistant, while you're at it. They often have PT roles!

Have you looked on Indeed? You can put filters on for part time jobs and distance from your location.

Have you thought about receptionist jobs or call centre work?

Don't worry too much about O Level maths. I am sure you can get round not mentioning it without actually lying.

Firstly check 'Turn2us' website to see if you are entitled to any help, eligible for benefits and you might be surprised. It is a very useful website for all sorts of help. Next, your skills will be well beyond many in admin and believe me word/ excel has gotten smarter but still very recognisable. Look at your local authority job websites, local college direct websites for their open jobs, your local school websites for part-time admin roles, and your local NHS website for their roles. Job centres are really more akin to benefit opening centres, often verging on useless for those seeking work. Your local library might have a free pop in job club that's worth approaching for help with where and for what to apply, alongside making your CV shine! Good luck.

You seem quite fixated on maths...is there a reason you think you need maths? Generally no-one is likely to care about maths GCSE I assume unless it forms part of the role you're applying for.

It sounds like you need a job that's desk based, ideally remote and relatively low skilled. How about working in a call centre? Or admin for a local organisation? Or call handling?

You could do some online courses to brush up your skills , a lot of them are free, will help with your confidence.

Adult learning centres seem a good place to start, you’ll need to get up to speed with workplace changes. Beware though, age discrimination is rampant (as it sounds like your husband has found out) so don’t get disheartened if it takes time.