I feel really let down by the system.

JustJem

Hi, I have already posted on here about applying for jobs and being autistic. (I don't disclose that I'm autistic or anything).

I was a carer for my mum for 9 years until her death, so... I've never really been in paid employment except 4 months last year from May 2024 - September 2024 which was a cleaning job but due to feeling bullied, I left.. then I had a retail job from June 2021 to August 2021 but I had to leave due to my Mum's health declining, I've done some volunteer work in one charity shop up to a year and then an admin volunteer role with a mental health charity for 2 years and was offered an apprenticeship until they went bust in 2021.

I live in Cornwall and don't drive so the job market is extremely stressful with low paid or seasonal jobs and a lot of care work.

I don't know what to do, as applying on Indeed and getting rejected, do the indeed people actually look at your CV is it screened through a CV computer thing? Any advice? I feel that I want to get back into work, but maybe retraining as well and going to education would help.. I'm just feeling extremely disheartened and overwhelmed and feel a sense of shame as I'm 30, and despite my autism and mental health.. I feel like I'm drainingt the system for existing.

I would like to either work as a carer part time, a peer support worker, retail, or an office job part time. I've tried cleaning schools and unfortunately not that I'm a snob, it's just sensory overload.

Any support for people with autism in Cornwall getting employment support? I'm with the health and work programme but due to my Mum's death and other factors in my life haven't really had the chance to meet my work coach in person except once however it's all creating CV's and cover letters.. I want a work placement or an internship, just feel extremely let down by the system.

Am I the only one out there?

Thanks for reading.

anisty

You're definitely not the only one. My kids are your age and i really do think the jobs market is so much harder these days due to online applications - gone are the days where you could go into places and ask if there was any work going or just hand a CV in.

For the types of work you're looking for though, i think there is a demand for that (though i am not in Cornwall!) Do you live in a small village or town that has a community newsletter type publication?

You know the sort of thing i mean? Many small communities have a news letter with local ads, news about your local area - new building developments, what's been going on in the church, the schools, who's won best kept garden.

That would be a great place to pop your CV. You might even find a job advertised that would suit you. The local facebook page would be another place to pop your CV.

You could also look at course offered by your nearest Further Education college - that would be better for supporting you into a work placement. You'd need to look into what (if any) funding you would qualify for.

Colleges often have open days so check out their websites and pop along to pick up some leaflets and have a chat!

Holly_Scope

Hi @JustJem have you thought about speaking with our support to work team? I've added a link to the website here - Support to Work | Disability charity Scope UK. 🙂