I’m in a quandary re work!!!

Janepeters1971
Janepeters1971 Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
I’m 50yrs old, a qualified teacher of PE and Art. Due to an accident it’s left me unable to continue this. However. I volunteer and recently taught in SEN School which I loved. It was only a maternity cover. 
I’m struggling to find help to gain access to courses to either continue in this or become a cbt (therapist). I feel I’m of no value and struggling to keep momentum. My friends can’t believe how much I do despite my condition but I need to pay bills so volunteering is great but  …. Please help 

Comments

  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    Hi and welcome to the community 

    You may be interested in scope programme support for work have a look in the employment section 

    Also get yourself registered with some employment agencies and job websites like indeed 

    Good luck 
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,536 Championing
    Hello @Janepeters1971 a warm welcome to the community :) Thanks for reaching out with your query, I would echo jane, here's more details on Scope's Support to Work programme, which you may be eligible for.

    It certainly sounds as though you do a lot, I have to say I think (as a person who feels similarly) it's easy to feel as though you aren't doing enough or aren't of value, when the reality is quite different. A good piece of advice I received is to imagine friends or family in the same situation, and what I would say to them, then try saying it to myself. Easier said than done! But it is worth taking a step back and reflecting on that :)

    Both options sound fantastic to me. You're not alone in this, and you're taking all the right steps. Just make sure you give yourself a break every now and then. 

    If you've got any questions or concerns, please do just ask.

    Alex
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    Hi @Janepeters1971

    Thanks for reaching out to us. I always appreciate how much courage it must take to reach out. 

    From what I can hear, it sounds like you have enjoyed teaching students PE and Art but you have had an accident which means you are unfortunately unable to continue teaching students.

    As a result, you have started voluntarily teaching students with SEND in a SEND school. You would like to access courses to continue in this or become a CBT (therapist). 

    The National Careers Advice is useful for providing a general overview of both of these. You can find the details at: 

    More specifically though, I am wondering if you would like to expand on the levels of qualifications you are looking for or if you would prefer face to face courses or remote courses for example? or even if there's a specific element of SEND teaching you feel would be particularly useful to supplement your pre-existing teaching qualifications? We can then help you to find more specific courses aimed at your needs and interests if you would prefer. Your existing teaching qualifications and experience will be super valuable to teaching students with SEND in SEND schools by the way.

    In fact, I want to say that no matter what you choose you will be super valued. I completely hear the benefits of volunteering, but that volunteering sadly doesn't pay the bills. Another potential route would be to consider what benefits are available for you, at least temporarily until you are able to find a job. If you feel this would be beneficial, you can access the Government's benefits calculator at https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators.

    Also, as @janer1967 said, Scope also has an employment support service. You can find more information about Scope's employment support service at https://www.scope.org.uk/employment-services/support-to-work/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAr5iQBhCsARIsAPcwROMhkq2HIXikan52ZhXwob4TH65qqzTVs0yUSyOxUrJ2WiDpqQmHmdsaAk8GEALw_wcB if you feel this would be useful for you.

    I hope this helps but if we can answer any additional questions or help you further with anything, please just let us know!  :)