What to do next ??????

[megan2002]

Hello , l have not worked for a few years due to the rapid decline of my diabetes ( type 1 for 23 years ) as l had a total breakdown. I have developed neuropathy and general well being not brilliant however would like to know who l can speak to for advice in what to do next and if it affects my benefits as this is what l live on. I have changed so much and no longer have the confidence that l once had as an area manager. I have tried to speak with job centre etc here however not had any advice. Can anyone help? Thank you

 

[AndBreathe]

Hello , l have not worked for a few years due to the rapid decline of my diabetes ( type 1 for 23 years ) as l had a total breakdown. I have developed neuropathy and general well being not brilliant however would like to know who l can speak to for advice in what to do next and if it affects my benefits as this is what l live on. I have changed so much and no longer have the confidence that l once had as an area manager. I have tried to speak with job centre etc here however not had any advice. Can anyone help? Thank you

Hello Megan.

I'm in the very fortunate position of being in excellent health and never having had to make any sort of benefit claim, so I have no wisdom in that regard, I'm afraid. I would like to say up front that I really admire you for wanting to move forward and thinking about work.

Trying to go through things logically, what do you do these days to occupy your time? Are you looking to do something like you were before, or would you rather do something very different? Would you feel able to work full-time, or were you thinking more part time? What sort of things do you like to do?

On a more formal tack, I've had a bit of a Google around, and there seems to be a fair bit on t'internet. I appreciate that's not as good as a face to face meeting to talk things through, but it could help you formulate your thinking and give you an indication of what might or might not happen with your benefits. I'll copy and paste a few web addresses, that came back for me. I Googled "How to get back to work after a long term willness".

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3904

http://www.totaljobs.com/careers-advice/unemployment-advice/how-to-return-to work-after-illness

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/Pages/longtermsickness.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/mentalhealth/Pages/returning-to-work-mental-health.aspx

Really, really good luck with it all.

 

[azure]

Hello , l have not worked for a few years due to the rapid decline of my diabetes ( type 1 for 23 years ) as l had a total breakdown. I have developed neuropathy and general well being not brilliant however would like to know who l can speak to for advice in what to do next and if it affects my benefits as this is what l live on. I have changed so much and no longer have the confidence that l once had as an area manager. I have tried to speak with job centre etc here however not had any advice. Can anyone help? Thank you

Sorry to hear that you've had it so rough. First of all. I want to say well done for fighting through what must have been a very difficult time. I hope you're feeling a bit better now.

Your local Job Centre Plus should have a Disability Adviser that you can speak to. I know Type 1 is covered as I spoke to one when I was unemployed. They vary in their helpfulness, but they will be able to explain about your benefits, etc. if you're looking to go back to work (of some kind) then you might also be able to get an appointment with a 'back to work' person. I saw one when I returned to work after I had my older children.

I had to make appointments to see both those people and I had to push a little as some JCP advisers were less helpful than others.

If you want a gentle return to some kind of work, volunteering is an option, but do check the rules re benefits. That is, check with the JCP or DWP. You shouldn't have to scrabble around for info yourself if you've not been well.

 

[Brunneria]

Do you think you would be in a position to do any voluntary work?

You can often choose your hours and days, plus you can choose the area/charity/interest. There are many, many different types.
- although my experience of voluntary work was that the organisers considered reliability very important, so I wouldn't take on too much to start with, but it may give you a way back in to the regular timetable and timekeeping of a job, plus job satisfaction and the sense of achievement of knowing you are doing something worthwhile.

 

[megan2002]

Hello Megan.

I'm in the very fortunate position of being in excellent health and never having had to make any sort of benefit claim, so I have no wisdom in that regard, I'm afraid. I would like to say up front that I really admire you for wanting to move forward and thinking about work.

Trying to go through things logically, what do you do these days to occupy your time? Are you looking to do something like you were before, or would you rather do something very different? Would you feel able to work full-time, or were you thinking more part time? What sort of things do you like to do?

On a more formal tack, I've had a bit of a Google around, and there seems to be a fair bit on t'internet. I appreciate that's not as good as a face to face meeting to talk things through, but it could help you formulate your thinking and give you an indication of what might or might not happen with your benefits. I'll copy and paste a few web addresses, that came back for me. I Googled "How to get back to work after a long term willness".

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3904

http://www.totaljobs.com/careers-advice/unemployment-advice/how-to-return-to work-after-illness

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/Pages/longtermsickness.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/mentalhealth/Pages/returning-to-work-mental-health.aspx

Really, really good luck with it all.

Thank you , thank you so much for your kind words and totally appreciate your help. I have been told l have never came to terms with no longer working especially as l was a top performing manager. l will study the links to see the best next step . Would dearly love to speak with a trusted top adviser.