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Careers and Having a Sense of Purpose

Having a sense of purpose and making a difference in the world is rewarding. Some achieve it through paid work others by voluntary work. If neither of those is an option you can still make a difference to those around you.

1. Continuing to work for your current employer

2. Seeking another employer

3. Further Education

4. Voluntary work

5. Campaigning

6. Helping others

 

1. Continuing to work for your current employer

• The Disability Discrimination Act gives employers a duty to try to accommodate any disability you may have. This covers a range of options from changing your working hours to providing specialist equipment. The act does not apply in all cases, for example the armed services, police, fire brigade, ambulance service, on board ships and aircraft.

• Struggling to do work that used to be easy can be disheartening. If your employer is not co-operative, seek advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau.

• The employment service has disability advisers and occupational psychologists who can advise your employer about appropriate aids and in some cases provide grants towards equipment. If it's not practical for you to continue in your current position, they can discuss the options for alternative work within the company.

2. Seeking another employer

• Contact the Department of work and pensions, your local Citizens Advice Bureau or disability help-line for information on your employment rights, available benefits and help with applications.

• The government may pay for any alterations or aids needed at your new workplace.

• The Disability Discrimination Act outlaws discrimination on the grounds of disability with some exceptions (see above).

• If you're not making progress and your confidence is waning it may help to discuss your future with a careers advisor or government Job Broker. Have you considered a change of career?

3. Further Education

• This could be your chance to develop new skills at evening classes or as a part or full time student. The Open University has home-based flexible courses and is experienced in supporting students with disabilities. Courses are split into modules so you can work at your own pace and take breaks between modules.

• Joining a Speakers Club may sound scary but is an excellent way to gain confidence in a friendly and supportive environment. Having the confidence and ability to communicate effectively in all situations is invaluable for any career.

4. Voluntary work

• Voluntary work provides many of the benefits of working and valuable experience. Boosting your confidence and chances of paid employment. Giving you the opportunity to make a difference on a local, national or international scale.

• If you are on benefits, tell the Benefits Agency or Job Centre before you start doing voluntary work. Your benefit shouldn't be affected if you comply with their rules. Failure to inform them could result in the stopping of your benefit.

• The National Centre for Volunteering will help you to volunteer whatever your available time, interests, skills and location.

5. Campaigning

• Most accidents could be prevented with care and forethought. What could you do to help prevent accidents? Could you make your home / neighbourhood safer? What can you do to save someone else from becoming a victim? Can you help one of the organisations campaigning for greater safety at home / on the roads / at work?

• Drivers can make a difference on the roads. Not driving when you are tired or after drinking alcohol and keeping your speed down in urban areas can save lives. About 15% of all road deaths are alcohol related. Around 10% of crashes are due to driver fatigue. Impact speed determines the severity of injury; 5% of pedestrians hit at 20mph are killed, 45% of pedestrians hit at 30mph are killed, 85% of pedestrians hit at 40mph are killed.

• How safe is your home? Every year 3 million accidents at home require hospital treatment.

6. Helping others

• It may take an effort be friendly when you feel cantankerous but it could transform the way people relate to you. Brighten up your day with smiles.

• There are plenty of people in the world coping with misfortune. We all like to hear from someone who understands. Someone to listen, someone to act as a role model, someone to share experiences and knowledge, someone to offer encouragement, someone to put our own problems in perspective. You have a lot to offer.

• Looking after a pet or plant gives a sense of responsibility because it's dependent on you no matter how dependent you are on others.