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?

Re courses - I remember library advertising they give access to lots of courses now - sorry I can’t remember where if online / app but if you pop into your local one they’ll be able to signpost you.

wish you all the best, you’re more employable than you know xx

Have a look at signing up with NHS Professionals which is like an in house temping agency for the NHS. Hopefully you can get your foot in the door at your local hospital and show them how good you are and then it will be much easier to get a 'proper' job there. Though you might be able to pull in all the money you need more flexibly as a temp. Good luck!

If you have the space, and your health permits, would you have any interest in fostering? My LA has regular information evenings including respite only and given your experience supporting your DC, you may find you’re able to make a meaningful difference to a young person while supplementing your income. I realise it’s a huge endeavour but wanted to mention it just in case.

OP - take a look at - www.charityjob.co.uk - lots of part time roles there in admin

Back to work courses can be very helpful as they help brush up your skills, build confidence, help with CV and job applications and often arrange mock interviews. The civil or public service can be good places to start looking as they often have good work life balance and are not ageist. Best of luck, I hope you get something you are really happy with.

Are you and dc in receipt of PIP for your disabilities? If not then make a claim as it's not dependent on your household income.& will give you a financial buffer.

Your local college should have functional maths, digital skills and back to work training. Do you have a LinkedIn in profile? If not, I'd set yourself up o e LinkedIn and follow all the recruitment agencies and charities/businesses/universities etc. People post j9bs there all the time, contact your local community sector hub (CVS) re volunteering.

https://www.prospect-us.co.uk/ is a charity recruitment agency, speak to them about your situation.

higher education support roles

https://www.uksport.gov.uk/jobs-in-sport/search-all-vacancies?q=Admin&sort=r
The 5th job down the list with BUCS is a remote one so might suit you. I filtered to show admin roles only.

If you have a local hospital, are there reception roles available? Look for bank opportunities and I would also apply for the medical records jobs. My NHS service are excellent employers and wouldn't discriminate as would look to make accommodations for long term conditions for the right person.....

https://www.uksport.gov.uk/global/jobs/casual-ballerz-cic/2026/01/01/part-time-project-managercoordinator

This is voluntary but they've advertised it like a proper job which could be illegal especially with the job spec.

As previously mentioned XYZ not that it’s your business

Not as tricky as you

I feel for you
It is so unfair when employers are against hiring over 50s 💐

Be you one day

If you were up for volunteering to improve skills you could go to charities etc directly? Many are under resourced and would probably value some support?

I’ll volunteer helping frustrated spiteful girls to move along

I’m kind of in a similar situation, same age, chronic health condition and been caring for elderly parents and my DC but finally have a bit of time and want to earn to take the pressure off DH.

Don’t think I will fare well trying to get back into a formal workplace so am looking at doing other things. Opportunity literally came knocking on my door a week ago relating to a house that is being sold nearby so I took a deep breath and grabbed it and have just negotiated retrospectively an hourly rate for work I did last week and potentially for work going forward. Hopefully this will pay off, time will tell. If this comes off it will be temporary but I think I can maybe run with that and try to do it for someone else.

Think about what skills you have. I have managed workmen for a number of renovations we have done and made many contacts so I’m using that experience as realise it is actually helpful to other people who will pay for it. I love gardening and couldn’t for ages but new meds are helping so I am hacking at every plant I have hoping to have new ones to sell next spring on FB marketplace.

A friend struggles with hoarding and I have been supporting her . We started on her garden, I spent a day on it with her to get her going and helped her organise things and now she has run with it and it beautiful and I am going to help her with inside. She has suggested that I offer my services to others, so I may look at that .

Fully get the confidence at rock bottom thing. That was me just over a year ago. I was on 2 walking sticks and could barely leave the house. I think some voluntary work is a good place to start as that helps get references which was an issue for me but I have some sorted now. Start small and don’t put pressure on yourself.

Don’t worry about the Maths. Let friends and family know you are looking and ask them to keep an ear out for things that might work for you. I hope there is something in my brain dump that might help a little. I woke up last week and thought thank goodness, the old me is back, this will happen to you. Good luck

Apologies for going awol. First one of my disabled young-adult dc was rushed in for emergency surgery, then I had a crash of my health issues, from all the stress and being stuck in A&E with them for a day and a half before they managed to get them a bed. No sleep for 42 hours was bound to cause a crash.

Not sure what all the deleted posts were about, but being MN I am probably better off not knowing.

Thank you to everyone who has made suggestions. I have read through everything and am trying to come up with a plan. Volunteering is really not an option locally, they are inundated with people who want to do it and it’s ridiculously competitive. I am keeping an eye on online/wfh volunteer opportunities though and my dsis is also putting out some feelers, so you never know.

NHS, LA and Civil service jobs locally all seem to state Maths as a requirement even at entry level. I have finally found an LA based back-to-work service though, so have sent them an email and will see if they can have any suggestions.

When the kids were little I used to earn a bit extra cleaning for friends and family, but I just don’t have the physical capability to do it anymore. There are housekeeping roles in local care homes, but again, physically I am not up to it.

There will be something, I’m sure. I just need to keep on at it until I have a breakthrough. Obviously the sooner I am bringing in some money the better, but realistically, given my limitations, I have given myself a year to get myself together and find something.