In this post, writer Hannah Emery shares her tips and advice on how individuals with long-term conditions can consider whether they’re ready to work or volunteer. If you’re seeking meaningful work, sign up with Astriid today!

Taking the first step into employment or volunteering when you have either been completely unable to work or have had extended time off sick is a very personal decision that will depend on various factors for each individual.

Whilst there are many positives in being involved in some type of work, whether paid or voluntary, striking the balance of keeping as well as possible and not taking on more than you can manage is very important. This means trying to decipher what type of work is going to best fit into your lifestyle when taking into consideration how your health condition impacts your daily life and how many hours of work you can comfortably sustain week on week. It can be a tricky conundrum to work out, so here are some points to help you think about what makes most sense for you:

It takes courage to try out working or volunteering when you are living with a long-term health condition, and for many people it is difficult to know if you are truly ready until you give it a go. It may require several attempts at finding the type of role that is the best fit for you. Being able to recognise this, learn from each experience and not get too disheartened is paramount. Whilst being employed for one person may mean a full-time job, for others doing a few hours a week or a month is still of great value and importance. Indeed, just living and managing a chronic condition can be a full-time job for many!

If you’re seeking meaningful work, sign up with Astriid today!

(Article written by Hannah Emery)