Help! Made redundant and feeling lost

What kind of animals do you like? My local foaling bank is always looking for people to help out. So are the dog and the cats home. Or what about receptionist at the local vets? I do not think you need medical training for that. Puppies for the blind, or even dog walking would earn some extra money. My son is at the current moment looking for somewhere to leave his dog while they go away for a fortnight. Try advertising in the paper. We had to pay £50 a week for our cat to be looked after.

I was made redundant six months before retirement age and so unlikely to find a new job. I signed on and got job seekers' allowance ( £72 a week at the time)for that period. Not much for paying in a working life time's worth of tax but it was a bit of a cushion. If you have no other income in the household or savings you may be able to apply for a council tax reduction too.

I am sorry this is a bit late, but can I suggest you check in with the CAB that the firm have given you the correct compensation for the redundancy and that the process was legally watertight. I worked as a consultant for a legal firm, on their own staff redundancy programme and believe me when it came to their own staff they were less than correct. It is a shock for anyone in your situation, but the advice threads above are seem very sound and kind.

Annie.I feel for you as a dear friend of mine felt exactly like you are feeling when she was made redundant.Have your break then get back into circulation with work that gets you amongst others rather than sitting at a desk.
If you enjoy meeting people or even being with animals then there must be plenty out there and getting paid for it at the same time.My friend surprised me, after years of working in a bank, by getting a job in a hotel restaurant.She thoroughly enjoys it and it keeps the wolf from the door as well as meeting lots of interesting people.

I have two pieces of advice to help you whilst you decide whether or not to look for another job. Go to Job Centre, don't rely on the on-line. If you are going to sign on you will need to attend an interview, you will find most of the staff are very helpful & can advise you.

Secondly have you been to your local Council Offices? You may be entitled to Council Tax Benefit (not the 25% discount for single occupancy but extra help because of income) & Housing Benefit if you're renting.

Good luck & hope you find something to fill your days again

As you have been working in a legal office you are probably able to use the internet. If you want another secretarial post You should join LinkedIn and post your CV on there. Agencies and businesses look on their website and will contact you

Did your husband not have a workplace pension? Do check

Going to repeat what Anya advised. Get yourself "signed" on as quickly as possible, especially if you don't have 35 years of NICs. Unless you do, you will lose over £4 a week of pension when you eventually reach state pension age. You will also be eligible for Council Tax Reduction Scheme (formerly Council Tax Benefit). If you are paying rent, you could also get Housing Benefit. Go and get your eyes and teeth sorted too, because specs and dental treatment are free.

Go to the CAB and ask for advice about temping, because it can seriously affect any benefits you're entitled to claim and you could end up worse off. Voluntary work is allowed, if you promise to give it up, if you find paid work.

You will be better off when you reach state pension age (at 66?), because the pension is over double the amount you will receive as unemployed. Benefits are more generous too.

X post Legs55

Temping is great, pay is better so tides you over dry spells, firms are not worried about age etc because they are not expecting to have to keep you for ages. You sound like an office angel.

Renting a room can be very good compay wise and financially as quite a lot tax free.

Anneishere

you have got some good advice and ideas onthis thread. I think the easiest way to get back into work is to volunteer at your local Citizens Advice Bureau. When a job comes up within their system they will know you and your work so it will make it easier for you to do well at interview and become employed. They quite often get funding for initiatives and have to start at once or they got funding but may not hit the target before it ends so have to put someone extra on the job.

Keep you CV up to date and positive. It dosn't matter if you haven't done a job before all your skills are transferable. Good luck.

GandT I know how you feel as I should have retired last year and now have to go until I am 66. I suppose I am lucky enough to still be working although struggling daily with Arthritis and my work is quite physical.
I have joined a group called WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) which is trying to get some help for women born in the 1950s that have had their State Pension Age moved. I find it has helped me getting involved with this and going to the meetings.
It won't help you get a job Anneishere but it does help talking to people, many are in the same boat as you having been made redundant and searching for jobs, which isn't easy when you are in your 60s.

I was in the same position as you a few years ago. Could not get another job due to ageism so started my own business and doing well. Volunteering and temping is a good starting point as well.
Take courage , you will be okay.

Sorry ...must be difficult for you at the moment ! One of my many jobs was as a legal secretary ...used to go back temping ..quite lucrative ..especially in the City during holiday times and in August when most people with children want time off ....and then I registered with the local Education office for temp work during school time ...did stints as a school secretary, a dinner lady, etc ..and then meals on wheels ! Also at one time did cleaning .,,anything to earn some money ! Then I finally ended up working in the NHS for the last ten years until I retired ...retired early as I got married again, but made sure my pension contributions were paid up in full (something you can do from your redundancy pay ...may seem a lot, but its worth it !).......I don't know if the WRVS still exists ...long time since I worked as a volunteer for them ...your local library or CAB or even Age UK will know what is out there ! With elections coming up, probably unpaid ? there is a lot of work for distributing leaflets, etc ......do you have a local hospital > Our hospital was always trying to find accommodation for junior doctors , physios, occupational therapists, etc on 6 month placements ...and you are guaranteed rent by the Hospital .we had a real struggle to find accommodation ...and you are allowed to rent a room and be allowed £??? (check) tax free ......your local hospital HR department will probably be able to advise, Or if there is a Police college or such like near you where there is not enough accommodation for the trainees ? You could still fit in your animal work around this type of thing ..

Don't despair, you will probably find skills such as yours and enthusiasm will be of enormous benefit to an employer or as a volunteer ....Good luck

Maybe a complete change of direction is needed. Working on the till in a shop would help you meet lots of new people every day. Anyway good luck, you've had lots of good advice here. Let us know how you get on.

Heard a lady of 80 something on the radio the other day. She works part time at B&Q and absolutely loves it. Just adding this anecdote to let you know not to worry about your age being an impediment to getting another job. You're a spring chicken compared to her!
Condolences on the loss of your husband. Also for your job. But there are plenty of opportunities still out there for you. Also think citizens' advice bureau could be a useful contact point. All the best with it.

There are so many good ways on here to get yourself back into the work place but you must sign on asap to keep your NI record up to date for your pension.A benefits advisor at the CAB will help you through the forms if need be as they can be daunting.
When I went back to work I started by just catering for small occasions such as Christening/small buffets/etc and it grew so quickly and I got the contract for the Local Council monthly meeting and larger committee meeting in the end it got too big for me and whilst I enjoyed it I sold out to a bigger Catering Company and went to work part time in a Charity Shop and after 2 yrs there I became a paid Manager of which I have just retired from so there are plenty of skills we can fall back on some of which we didn't even know we had.Very best of luck to you.

I was in the same postition 5 years ago so know how you feel. Be sure you arrange an appointment for the job centre now. You have an initial meeting then you will be told when you need to sign on. The staff were very helpful and they will help you with any questions you may have.

If you are going to volunteer you may find a local school needs help with hearing children read. Best of luck.

I lost my job unexpectedly it was the same year my Dad died and six months later my. mum too... I was coming up to 68 and was so expecting to work till I was 70 I knew I was completely able and was healthy and wanting to stay in work however it wasn't to be I took a complete downward spiral as everything had gone ( I was already living alone) and although I always got up at the same time I completely lost my motivation to do anything I needed the discipline of work after a while of licking my wounds I got a voluntary job two or three mornings a week and then set up my own group for a charity as well I still don't find it easy to motivate myself outside these jobs but I m still trying and don't feel as useless as I did
You will get there Annieshere but it does take a bit of time There are lots of great ideas on here and I d like to wish you every good luck in this new adventure

Gandt..im march 1954..state pension due July 2019 when I'll be 65 and 4 months ..I was made redundant aged 61 but was lucky enough to get another job ..understand OP fear tho ..it's a shock!. Out of interest what does the Wasp pressure group hope will happen?