No confidence

MawB the last 4 years have been a complete life change - marriage ending , relocating 150 miles away , leaving the kids although grown up , new relationship , losing my mother . I feel lonely , vulnerable and guilty it’s been tough and in some respects I’m still struggling . I know I’m not old as such but cleaning for several hours a day is taking its toll . It’s also a lonely job and I’ve struggled to make friends since the move . I miss home I miss my friends and family but my new man is amazing so I guess you can’t have it all . Job wise I just want something less strenuous and somewhere I may meet and make friends . I don’t have many skills I didn’t the last 15 yrs before I moved caring for my mother , that’s why I started cleaning because it fitted in . Sorry to waffle !

You seem to have a lot on your plate Lizzie10 - your worries about the new grandchild (the “Am I being over sensitive thread) , moving in with your new man, and now the possibility of a career change
Is there more going on here than meets the eye?
Does it have to be an office job. Do you have other skills you could use?
JobCentre + can point you towards retraining courses.

Hi, with the retirement moving further and further away, working lives can last much longer than they did! So if you feel mentally and physically well, why not go for a change?

The office idea may be difficult, unless you are au fait with computers...they are everywhere now! What about some evening classes to learn a new skill?

Have a look at the Job Centre to see what`s going and what experience/training is on offer.

Good luck.

My word, Lizzie, you are still a youngster! Not only that, one with a multitude of experience. Do you fancy an office job? Maybe something in a garden centre, especially if your are a gardener, would be worth considering, as already suggested. You might prefer to work in the hospitality/catering/retail area, where you'll be meeting people. Not particularly well paid, but I don't think this is your priority is it? As also suggested, volunteering would be a good start - such a demand in all sorts of areas. A refresher technology course would definitely be helpful and boost your confidence. Good luck, and please let us know how you get on.

Would you consider volunteering to put experience on your CV and boost your confidence?

Good luck, Lizzie I have a feeling it will all be fine

Thank you all for your support , I have sat down today with my daughters help and put together a CV and applied for about 6 jobs - we shall see

Also you are so young at 51 with years and years of great times ahead of you. Jump off the edge of the pond and the water will be fine! That was a saying my mam used to say. xx

I think you should sit down and write out all the things you can do and like to do. Then go along and join some job agencies. You will be surprised at how friendly these places can be if you reach out to them. How about something like working in a garden centre? Helping in a school kitchen? If you don't need the cash then you could volunteer to help in one of the food banks. Don't let negativity put you off because once you get out and among other people then your confidence will grow. I wish you luck and please let me know how you get on.

Not wishing to pee on your chips, but I think you'll find it hard.

I disagree that your experience will count for much. Properly evidenced work experience is everything, including employer references.

Have you signed on for UC? I'd do that first; if successful you'll HAVE to look for work and you should get some support from your Work Coach.

Try EntitledTo as a benefits calculator. You may be surprised.

Lizzie it seems to me that you need a refresher course, to update you on all the technology, you will feel a lot more confident then

When we are looking for new staff, we seldom take much interest in formal qualifications, or previous experience. Just looking for conscientious hard working people who we think will fit in, and we particularly like your age group!

I was a mental health nurse before I retired.
One nursing home that I was employed in was closing, and I thought a change would be beneficial. I applied to the National Trust for a job in helping manage one of their woodlands.
I was offered the job and my age at the time was 53.
Have a go! You have all sorts of skills, employers will treat your applications the same as anyone else's.
Good luck.

Make a list of your skills and " sell yourself " to those who are prepared to interview you. Many places prefer someone with experience, regardless of age and if you show willing I see no problem in you gaining employment. Acceptance will be a big confidence-builder.

You would be given a job as you have a proven track record of hard work and are reliable, conscientious and trustworthy. I attended a return to work course years ago and they showed that things we take for granted are now highly prized by employers. Even letting them know if you are unwell and can’t come in! Seems some people don’t make contact and then stroll in days later assuming the job will be waiting for them.

You have a lot of skills - just managing a home and looking after an elderly parent takes organising ability, and to run your cleaning business needed you to manage your time and your budget, and keep records of the money that went in and out, and have the "stickability" to turn up on time and do a good job even when you were fed up with it. You have the advantage of years of getting on with people of all kinds as well. From your business you can find people to give personal and work references to take to your interview.

Many of the youngsters applying for the office jobs that you are thinking of will not have any experience of all these areas. If you go to an employment exchange, you can get advice on how to go about it, and coaching on writing application letters and CVs and so on. Go for it!