Part-time work

[Interpab]

I’m looking at trying to get into some form of part-time employment but am anxious about it. I’ve always been self employed and post brain injury know that there are issues with large groups, busy environments, excessive noise and learning new things. Any advice on what work might be suitable or the best places to find suitable employers?

[cat3]

A couple of links here Interpab ; one from Remploy and another from the Headway website :-

headway.org.uk/about-brain-...

google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q...

Hope this helps.... Cat x

[cat3 in reply to cat3]

Sorry, Headway link not live but you can type the link in Google...

[Interpab in reply to cat3]

I’m going to give Headway a ring, I know where they have a branch local to me. I think I approached them a good few years ago but it was too soon.

Yes I’ve had a look at Remploy too, they are the first avenues i’ll be exploring. Just feeling quite anxious about it all. I did recently go through the application process for a job at Apple and got the job but there’s some quite information heavy training and once actually at the store i’d have been working in there was just too much to take in and I had to back out of it. They were more than accommodating but it’s the small things that you take for granted pre-injury that you find accumulate and smack you in the face. A bit of a shock to me as I’ve been coping with a lot in recent years.

Thanks for your suggestions.

[sethbovey]

Hi there. I had all that anxiety too. After 40 plus years working fulltime I was on compensation for 6 months after my accident. I then got a part time job for 3 days a week which fast became a lot more hours that i didnt want. I find I cope with desk work really well - no change there but I also have a voluntary job in a shop and the standing tires me.

I now have another casual contract which suits me so much better. I find having freedom and autonomy and access to the outside is my thing. I work only 5 or so hours a day, 3 days a week and can start and finish when I like so long as I get the work done.

I am in NZ so cannot help with employment agencies but I searched thoroughly until I found the right job. I had lots of intervews which gave me back my confidence.

I wish you all the best. It may just take time. Be patient my friend.

[sospan]

Work / employment is still the biggest frustration post injury and the lack of support post injury.

I too was self employed and at the top of the tree when I was injured. So there was no "job" to return to. The other problem when you are at the top and have a significant amount of qualifications and experience, taking a "junior" job is impossible as the managers feel threatened by my experience and knowledge.

One option I tried was to go to the National Career Service, I was surprised they still existed ! The do have a career selection tool where you can put in your qualifications, skills, etc. It will churn out some suggestions for jobs and training. Hmmm, my suggestions were ceramic tile designer and Fireman ! So , I was 54 at the time, balance problems and lots of physical injuries.

The other option is the job centre. There are designated advisers in the Job centre to advise people with "limitations" on how to get to work. They do have links to some outside agencies (scope.org.uk/employment-ser... However, a lot of the support is centred around writing a CV and writing letters. You have to be cautious of some of the "job experience" roles if you are on benefits. Some are paid some are unpaid. Either way they can mess up your benefits payments especially after a trial is over because you have gone from employed to benefits you may have to wait 6 weeks for your benefits to resume.

Volunteering, seems to be another minefield with many roles either really risky from a liability perspective ( home handyman) or exploitative (e.g receptionist 28 hours a week) and should be paid jobs.

The other option is to start up something yourself. However, I haven't found any funding sources to help with the initial costs. The government scheme is notoriously bad - £35 a week for 6 months. The loans scheme is very difficult to get approved as you have to pass the business and personal viability tests

After our types of injury it is hard to get back to work even if you have a benevolent employer, self employed is very hard.

I hope you have success

[Shalala72]

If you don't mind me asking what kind of business do you have ? I was also a self employed beauty therapist which I will go back to part time which won't be good money but would love to try something new

[jeanni]

Hi Pab, I would be interested for my son as he had a TBI a few years ago and was not able to go back to his own job. Would love to know if there was something out there that would suit him.