A job to improve mental health maybe?

bluefate

Hi there,

so I’ve been off work for approximately 10 years now. I now feel it’s time to return to work. I recently went the job centre and they just referred me to indeed. My mental health has massively decreased due to my area and my own issues. Because of my health, I feel a night shift, working alone doing something repetitive may help. I’m currently waiting for a decision as to whether I’ll continue to receive my pip and UC after my renewal has been processed. I’ve reached out to scope but I feel 20 weeks is a long time. 

I’ve seen plenty of agency jobs but I feel they have all the bells and whistles of long hours and high wage (which would be perfect for me, because my logic is, work hard and I can leave my area. But then I’m worried I’ll be treated badly based on the reviews of all the companies so I feel like I’ll set myself back further with no money to live on. 

Feel in a catch 22 at the moment so any help is appreciated 

bluefate

Thank you for your reply woodbine. 

Apologies, I meant 20 weeks working with an advisor through scope. 10 months is an awful long time, I’m not sure my anxiety would manage that. 

In response to work, my thinking is that it’ll not only improve my mental health but physical health as well. Currently, I’m lucky if I get 4 hours of sleep a night, I have chest pains daily and I grind my teeth constantly when I do sleep. I’m on edge most of the day with overthinking and anxiety and I’ve started to lose my hair, all of this I feel is through stress based on my anxiety and the fact my area is goin down the pan, therefore, in an ideal world, I feel like working 6 nights a week would help me to sleep, give me less time to overthink and I can hopefully raise the cash to leave my area and help improve my situation. I feel I should mention I’ve been targeted a few times by the local toe rags. 

My concerns are though 

*Going from the support of the benefits system to having enough hours to keep a roof over mine and my babies head (my cat) 
*Getting to work. 

*Being bullied in work/sacked and being left homeless. 

I appreciate any advice given. 

Adrian_Scope

Hello @bluefate.
How long ago did you have your PIP reassessment and am I reading correctly that you're waiting for a UC work capability review too? Do you currently have LCWRA?

bluefate said:

My concerns are though 

*Going from the support of the benefits system to having enough hours to keep a roof over mine and my babies head (my cat) 
*Getting to work. 

*Being bullied in work/sacked and being left homeless. 

I appreciate any advice given. 

Don't forget that you can receive PIP and work fulltime and it's also possible to claim UC/LCWRA and work. What about getting to work is worrying you?

I know you've said you feel 20 weeks is a long time, but the free Support to Work service Scope offers can be a great way to get back into employment, especially if you've been out of work for some time. 

Our employment advisers will talk with you and agree the level of support you need.

You will work with your adviser for up to 20 weeks and we will support you to:

• grow in confidence, assertiveness, and independence
• develop your interview skills
• find volunteering, training, education, or employment opportunities
• talk about disability in the workplace
• help you to write a CV or job application for you
• support you to search for jobs and work experience for you

bluefate

Adrian_Scope said:

Hello @bluefate.
How long ago did you have your PIP reassessment and am I reading correctly that you're waiting for a UC work capability review too? Do you currently have LCWRA?

Don't forget that you can receive PIP and work fulltime and it's also possible to claim UC/LCWRA and work. What about getting to work is worrying you?
I know you've said you feel 20 weeks is a long time, but the free Support to Work service Scope offers can be a great way to get back into employment, especially if you've been out of work for some time. 

Our employment advisers will talk with you and agree the level of support you need.

You will work with your adviser for up to 20 weeks and we will support you to:

• grow in confidence, assertiveness, and independence
• develop your interview skills
• find volunteering, training, education, or employment opportunities
• talk about disability in the workplace
• help you to write a CV or job application for you
• support you to search for jobs and work experience for you

My mum completed my PIP forms and sent them off a month ago today. I don’t think I am waiting for a UC review so apologies for the mix up. I’m not sure what LCWRA is so I’ll have a quick google. I do have a LCWRA

i thought about claiming pip while working but wasn’t sure how I’d go about that or if it’d go against me finding work while my claim is still being reassessed. There’s loads of things worrying me to be honest 
*Chavs - they make my life hell as it is but I feel more trapped on public transport 
*Missing my bus/train and being late, therefore being disciplined or fired. 

*Leaving work and there’s no one around and I’m completely alone - my overthinking dictates most of my anxiety I think. 

I’ve contacted scope because I’m desperate 

Adrian_Scope

There's definitely lots to consider when returning to work @bluefate. I suppose some of your worries could be covered when looking at the type of employment you want, as you can look at what the routes and times would be. I'm sure the Support to Work team will have worked with people with similar concerns, so might have some practical suggestions for you.

NiiQ

Good luck @bluefate