Hi All,
I was diagnosed with RRMS in 2008 at the time I didn’t think that MS had a effected as much as it as. I returned work within a few months of my diagnosis only to find working a 48Hr week was to much and I became ill again and I ended up leaving my job shortly afterwards.
I’ve been actively looking to get back into working and I’m having a tough time in finding work that would be right for me.
I use to work as a coach driver but due to the way MS affects me my PSV licence was withdrawn. I recently went to see if I could do Taxi driving but after a long and informal chat with my doctors today it looks like my medical would be declined based on my MS symptoms (Dizziness,Vertigo) I only really have driving experience and a few computer qualifications under my belt, I am studying a Degree with the Open University in IT and networking but that is at least 2 years away from graduating.
My question is what kind of work is available to me now?
I’m feeling very lost and don’t know how to proceed forward. I’m gradually resigning my self to the fact that I may never get a job now but I still do want to work even if at least for 24hrs a week.
I don’t want to spend my life on benefits but I am now starting to call it a day on the job front.
Hi, I don’t know how many study hours your degree is taking up a week.
Have you thought about getting some work experience in IT and networking through volunteering? if that is the type of work you are interested in. Some organisations that take on volunteers ask for a minimum two hours work a week and reimburse travel costs.
I volunteer a few hours a week and it’s in a line of work connected to a paid job I would like to do. Volunteer work can lead to paid work.
The Do-it website has volunteer opportunities UK wide. To search need to put in post code and what days/hours available to work, some vacancies are working from home.
https://do-it.org/
Hi Lenny,
That is a fantastic idea thank you. I’m quite good with things IT related. I hopefully have more luck with volunteering then with any actual work.
Thanks,
Mike
I remember a while ago seeing vacancies for volunteer computer tutors, helping people over 55yrs with computers. Might have been with Age UK or the public library.
Isnt the Job Centre offering any advice?
Or is that a really stupid question?
pollx
The job Centre isn’t much help in my case. They have pointed me in some directions but they ended up been dead ends.
I left the job I loved about 18 months ago and went to the Job Centre hoping for some help… asked for an appointment with the Disability Advisor, only to be told that I couldn’t have a disability referral unless I was looking for full time work!!! Well, because of my disability I wasn’t able to do full time work… arggghhhhh. Who on earth makes these rules huh?!
H x
a chuffin rediculous rule…bumpf!!
Typical…barriers all the way!
pollx
I would of thought that those claiming ESA then their ESA adviser would be able to help with job hunting?
I’m in the WRAG so see an ESA adviser every six months.
I have spoken to a few people on the phone at the DWP and they were lacking in DWP knowledge. I said I claim ESA and asked for help finding part time work, the lady on the phone booked me in for a JSA informal job chat at the jobcentre, she confirmed on the phone this would be the correct person to see. When I got to the appointment the JSA adviser apologised and said I should of been booked in to see an ESA adviser and not JSA adviser as advisers are normally not trained in both JSA and ESA.