I've nothing left, they've taken it all.

[Voley]

I can sympathise with the OP a lot. I worked in social housing for about 10 years and was getting a bit blase about it so switched to homelessness for a change, to try and reinvigorate myself. Bad move. It's a soul-destroying job, imo. A combination of seeing deserving people get turned down and undeserving people get all sorts of help is a recipe for disaster. Some people are good at working with homeless people, some aren't but pretty much everyone gets disillusioned with it at some point.

If you're despising the client group, though, miniGMgoit, you've got to get out. Seriously. I'm sure you've worked alongside people who've been working in homelessness for years and who treat the clients like shit. I know I have. Don't become one of them, not for your clients or yourself. You both deserve more.

In terms of another job, I think you'll find you've got a lot of skills that translate across to a myriad of other professions - dealing with people in stressful situations, crisis management, organisational skills, all the usual officey admin stuff. Even things like knowing how to deal with people politely and professionally are real assets - plenty of people don't, believe me. The situation's probably not as bad as you think, particularly if you don't mind taking a bit of a pay cut. I went from homelessness to working as an admin person in an office and although it was phenomenally easy (and even boring at times) the lack of stress and the subsequent improvement in my health (both physical and mental) were worth more than anything.

Good luck. I really sympathise, miniGMgoit. It might mean some big dcisions and changing you rlife a lot but, in my case at least, it was a positive thing in the end. I wouldn't go back to homelessness now if you offered me millions. Some things are more important than money.

 

[miniGMgoit]

I have been speaking with my partner heaps over the last few days. He has now suggested I just dont go back. "Fuck them" he said.

I think what I will do is go in on Monday morning and hand my notice in and take the the rest of it as annual leave (in other words not really go back).

It gives me plenty of time to sort something else out.

Cant go back though.

 

[mrs quoad]

I have been speaking with my partner heaps over the last few days. He has now suggested I just dont go back. "Fuck them" he said.

I think what I will do is go in on Monday morning and hand my notice in and take the the rest of it as annual leave (in other words not really go back).

It gives me plenty of time to sort something else out.

Cant go back though.

Exactly.

THIS IS A HEALTH ISSUE.

Notice and 'needing to go back in a week' is something that I just don't - at the moment - understand

Could you clarify? Are you off sick atm? Or on holiday? Is your management insisting you go back? Or is this a deadline you've chosen?: If your management is insisting you go back, do they know where your health is at right now?

This deadline seems to be forcing you to make fast decisions and waste annual leave, throwing you into unemployment. It's all just seeming like a self-damaging route in which either you or your employers aren't treating you in an appropriate way....

 

[mrs quoad]

Can I clarify: have you seen your doctor, OP?

After a quick read-through, I can't see you mentioning it.

TY

 

[miniGMgoit]

Ok
1. Yes I am off sick.
2. I went to see my doctor today and it is shut until the beginning of August. (The doctor I see has his own practice but doesnt seem to be open very often at all. He closes up at lunch time most days and shoots of in his sports car)

Tomorrow I am going to find a new doctor and get all that stuff in order.

The need to find more work is one of finance. We are living hand to mouth at the moment and cant afford to loose any money. My partner was off sick for over 6 months this year and its landed us in a whole heap of financial trouble.
The dealine is a self imposed one and half of the reason for me going in to see them rather than just ringing up is to see what they say/do/offer when I return. As yet I have not heard anything from them (which I find quite annoying).

I really dont feel like I can do the job anymore so I am hoping that there is something else I can do however I am not holding my breath. They dont seemed to have given a fuck so far so I dont see why it will change now.

Erm I think that answers your questions

I do feel very shakey when I think about returning though. Knots in the stomach and butterflies. I will probibly tell them I cant do it anymore and just walk straight back out.

Sad though

 

[Voley]

Sad though

Only at the moment. I'd put money on you regarding it as a very positive thing a few months down the line.

Good luck. I really think you're doing the right thing.

 

[CRI]

Lots of good advice here mini. Sounds like you've reached burned out stage and gone beyond it. If you are feeling so anxious about going back to your old job, then it may well be a health issue. You need more time away and your employers need to recognise that you may be unable to do your job properly if you're not well.

If you can talk to your line manager or any welfare officer where you work, do that urgently. Just trying to "handle it" yourself may be impossible. It may be that you could be transferred to some other role that may be less "in your face" to give you time to reflect and consider your future without harming your health or losing your paycheque.

Re-training is certainly one idea, but it's not good to launch into something different without really thinking about it. It could be a frying pan to fire thing. There may be jobs in the voluntary sector where your social work qualification will be of benefit, but where you would be doing something quite different to what you do now. It's worth considering that and maybe seeking some independent career advice.

(((mini))) *sounds like a tough place you are in just now.