Looking for work

Looking for work when you have a long-term health condition can feel challenging, but support is available to help you find a job that works for you and your circumstances. Employers and support services can provide adjustments and advice to help remove barriers to work. With the right information, practical support and confidence in your skills, you can take positive steps towards finding a role that suits your strengths, interests and wellbeing.

Identify your strengths and interests first

To help you to decide what you want to do, start by identifying your skills, strengths and interests, and be realistic about things you find difficult. It may help to talk these over with someone who knows you well. Use your strengths and interests as the start of preparing a CV to outline your skills, experience and achievements.

If you are already in employment you may want to consider joining a trade union. This would provide you with support and guidance if you encounter difficulties in connection with your job. Some unions also have a union learning representative who may be able to help with training and development. Find more about this on the TUC website.

The value of voluntary work

If you are disabled and starting to look for work it may be worth thinking about doing some voluntary work first. This can help you to discover if you are ready to move into paid employment and how that might fit with any care / other needs.

Voluntary work has many benefits. It can help to develop new skills and experience, which are also helpful for your CV, as you can highlight your experience and the contribution you will make to a new team in a new workplace.

A range of organisations have helpful information about volunteering:

https://www.ncvo.org.uk/ncvo-volunteering and www.navca.org.uk - promote volunteering as a powerful force for change, both for the volunteer and the wider community.
www.do-it.org.uk - information for people looking to do voluntary work in preparation for going into paid employment, plus opportunities in local areas.

Your local Community Volunteer Service or volunteer bureau will have useful information, advice and details of local voluntary work opportunities.

Top tips for finding work

Finding a job can take time, but focusing on your strengths, targeting suitable roles and making use of available support can make the process more manageable. Be clear about the type of work that suits your needs, tailor your applications to each role, and prepare for interviews by practising how you'll talk about your skills and experience. Remember, many employers are committed to creating inclusive workplaces and providing support to help people succeed at work.