Redundancy

Thanks GrandmaTK. I am divorced, but my son lives locally and is really unwell which kind of keeps me tied to the area, at least for now. I have thought about setting up a business but that requires effort right now and brain power, all of which are failing. I need some inspiration to pull it all together otherwise by January, my money will have run out and I could be in trouble. But its only money right? Maybe a different outlook would help

I was offered the most challenging and interesting job of my career at the age of 55. There are jobs out there where experience counts. You have the time to look around for something new. Try to think outside the box - look at other areas where your skills and experience may be useful.
We don't know your circumstances or whether you need to work for an income, do you have a partner and family?
An alternative route is the one my sister in law took when made redundant at 50. She had no children and had recently met her now husband. Together they sold up everything, moved to Spain, bought some land and built a house. It could be time for a grand adventure!

I have just been made redundant too at 51 and it is hard. Half of me is all fired up to send out cvs and get back in there, I have to I have bills to pay! The other half of me just wants to give it all up! I will lose my house and have to pay off debts but I just can’t feel motivated at the moment. I use to work to help out the kids and grandkids but recent estrangement from my daughter has kind of taken the wind out of my sails. I enjoy volunteering though at a local museum in the Black Country which is very fulfilling. It is important to keep socialising and not to become isolated, so any volunteering helps I think

I was offered voluntary redundancy at the age of 57. I found the prospect very frightening and opted to stay on and undergo a major reorganisation of the department in which I worked, in retrospect, it was the worst decision I ever made. Try to see redundancy as an opportunity and not a threat. There are many jobs out there and many opportunities for volunteering as well.

Well I'll seriously look into this when i finally finish work thanks

I would concur that the Alzheimer's Soc is great to volunteer with. I help on the Crisp courses. I am valued. I feel as though I am helping people and the staff and volunteers are all lovely.

I've done lots of volunteering but this is by far the 'nicest'!

Think its the fear of the unknown. The team i work with have become a family its sad to think its coming to an end. ?

My daughter was in the exact same position last year she is about 5 yrs younger but was made redundant after 24yrs and she was floundering and scared, she needed to work but after a few months with no interviews she looked at jobs that were different to what she’d been doing , she got a few interviews had one false start but now she’s doing something totally different and is quite happy.
It’s possible so be brave and good luck

I was offered a job with the National Trust when I was 55. Unfortunately I was unable to take it, as I had to share a car with DH and the job was in the opposite direction to his. My career in mental health nursing had stalled, and I was looking for something new. There are jobs out there, no matter what your age.

Thanks ourkid1 thats helped me think of my options

My advice would be to take your time to settle into not working, Cheryl. I gave up paid work about 3 years ago and it took me a while to settle into not having the routine of 9 - 5. I tried joining a singing group, went off that idea, a bit of volunteering at our local hospital, went off that idea ... I am now settled into a volunteering role with the Side by Side scheme run by the Alzheimer's Society, which I love and will continue for as long as they want me.
Mr OK1 is being made redundant this coming December and to say his job has been (most of) his life is no exaggeration. Time will tell, but meanwhile he is putting out feelers regarding volunteering with our local Canal Trust (a friend's husband does the same, so he'll be with someone he knows) and maybe taking on an allotment.
I guess it depends on whether you need to earn some ££s ... in which case part-time work may be an option?
I'd say I lacked confidence, especially when I stopped working in a role where I knew what I was doing, but apart from a couple of false starts, I am happy with what I do now. If you do take on volunteering, then I can recommend the Alzheimer's Society - they mentor you, make sure you're happy with what you're doing and treat their volunteers well. I've never been asked to take on more than I'm happy with and definitely feel valued for being me. Being stuck in your ways is no bad thing by the way - one of the Alzheimer's Society's courses mentions respect and equality for all their workers (volunteers and otherwise), whatever their 'ways!' (PS Don't let the idea of 'courses' worry you - they're just the usual safeguarding, equality things and are online). Might be worth a google on their website as there are many opportunities for all sorts of people with all sorts of experiences and none - even me!
Good luck, but do try a few things and don't worry if it takes a while to settle.