Would I be able to do this? Trigger warning: brief mention of suicide.,

mistydixie

Hi all, I'm just hoping you lovely people can maybe help me with something.

I am on old style ESA (support group) and PIP. I was doing permitted work last year but, to be blunt, I had a horrendous experience (I was bullied!) and it caused me to lose confidence in myself and my abilities. I have a mental health condition, which is why I am on ESA.

I've been having CBT therapy and my therapist has suggested I do things to increase my confidence. I really enjoy creative writing and I had a couple of ideas but I'm not sure I would be able to do one/ either.

One idea I have is to do a class in the community centre. My friend works there, doing various classes for her business, and said she would step in if I can't do a class one week. I do have experience of facilitating groups. There are some creative writing groups in my area already but a) they're very serious and for people wanting to be published and b) they can be very click-y. I went to one, felt so unwelcome and never went back. I just want to do a fun group. Theres no free spaces in my area so I would have to pay for a room, and then charge for the class, which means i would be gaining an income, but people pay in cash so it's going to be hard to prove how much i make a week.

Alternatively, I was thinking of making some creative writing worksheets and opening a little Etsy shop. I would only be selling the worksheets for £3/£4 pound (depending on the content. I plan on doing guided stories where people fill in spaces and prompts) I know a few people have asked that but I'm just wanting to put my mind at rest.

I'm guessing I won't be allowed to do both as you're only allowed to do one kind of permitted work, but it's technically a hobby not work (I'm not going to gain employment for it or start my own business) but I'm not sure that they wont class it as work) so I'm unsure what I am allowed to do.

I would like to do some work in the future but part time (for my own wellbeing and self worth. I missed a lot of school due to my mental health condition being undiagnosed and just not taken seriously so I feel I want to achieve something now as an adult and not let my mental health condition stop me from having some kind of normality) and I need to work on my confidence. I also do volunteer work one day a week but it's something that doesn't really challenge me. I just stay out of loyalty and how they are supportive if I can't make it in due to my mental health. And a friend works there too.

I just feel my therapist is right and I need to prove to myself I have skills and I feel a hobby/ passion is a good way to do it. If people come to my class or buy my worksheets I will feel I am offering something people want, which I'm my last job, I was told constantly that I had no skills, I was not capable of working on my own (I was in an admin job for a mental health charity and had to deal with suicidal callers with no training. When I asked for support, I was told I wasn't resilient and I was attention seeking and if the person on the other end of the phone hurt themselves, I was responsible) and I just want to achieve something.

Sorry this is longer than I intended. I just wanted to give context to why I want to do something. Yes, I'm in the support group and I'm not required to look for work, it's got nothing to do with employment and more about my self esteem/ confidence which I'm really struggling with. It was something I've always struggled with anyway, but recently, due to the bad experience, it's at a real low point, and for my own mental health and wellbeing, I need to find a way to start believing in myself.

Thank you for reading. Take care.

Rosie_Scope

Hi @mistydixie, welcome to the community. Your experiences of what happened in your last job sound awful, I'm sorry you had to go through all that. People with disabilities and conditions are some of the most resilient people I know. It's really hurtful for them to suggest that you aren't resilient, I can imagine what a toll that had on your mental health.

It's really positive that you're looking to start something new and boost your wellbeing. Your creative writing ideas sound like fun and as you say, it would be a great boost for your confidence.

Would you feel comfortable talking to your ESA work coach about your plans? They might be the best people to know what would be possible while still claiming.

chiarieds

Hi @mistydixie - it's great how positive you are & the ideas you have about doing something that's meaningful to you, which will at the same time help others.

Altho it's called 'permitted work' you can do anything you'd like so long as you work for less than 16 hours a week in total, & don't earn more than £183.50 per week (after tax & National Insurance) otherwise it would affect your ESA. All the info you need is on the Govt's website, which you can see here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employment-and-support-allowance-permitted-work-form/permitted-work-factsheet

As you will see you should fill in form PW1:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6605833af9ab410011eea528/PW1-04-24.pdf

Working will not affect your PIP so long as the work you do doesn't contradict the reasons for your award, which might be questioned upon review. Other than that, I wish you every success!

Chris321

Hi @mistydixie - I can't offer any advice better than already posted but wanted to say. You sound amazing

mistydixie

Thank you all for the replies.

@Rosie_Scope I don't actually attend the jobcentre but there is a lady I know who works for the local citizens advice in the benefits section, so I will put an appointment on to talk to her. Thank you :)

@chiarieds Thank you. I'll print off a permitted work form and ask the benefits lady at the citizens advice to help me with it when I go and see her.

@Chris321 Aw thank you :)

Jimm_Scope

I hope whatever you decide to do goes well @mistydixie 🙂 I'm also trying to write more, as it's something I really like doing, but can struggle with the idea of it being "perfect". Which I logically know is silly, as it's a form of art and no art is "perfect" or "imperfect" really.

I feel like I'm starting to go on a tangent so going to stop myself there 😋 best of luck with it all! And if the first one you try doesn't work out, you can always try the other too! I think it's great that you've got options.