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THINKING ABOUT VOLUNTARY WORK OR PAID WORK?

 

 

 

 I am 55 years old and I have had ME since 1997. I am lucky in that I have never had it severely, although I have been prevented from doing paid work some of that time. I am one of the founders of the ME Network and was heavily involved in the Network in it’s early days.

 

 When I couldn’t hold down a paid job it was important to me to feel useful and working voluntarily for the ME Network fulfilled that role. I also learnt new skills, like using the computer and met some lovely people. I would recommend anyone who has ME severe enough to prevent them holding down a job, but where they feel ok some of the time, to take up some voluntary work, even if it is for very short periods.

The present management committee of the ME Network does really valuable work and I know some of them have pretty poor health, but still manage to make an important

contribution.

Doing voluntary or paid work is one way to ward off depression caused by the isolation of long term illness. For me being part of a voluntary or paid work group keeps my spirits up. 

 

 In 2002 I decided I wanted to stick my toe in the employment water again and I started a paid job, working just a few hours a week and keeping my Incapacity Benefit. I did this through contacting a Job Broker at the Job Centre. He was very helpful. This was a good start and gave me confidence to extend my hours and gradually get to the point where I came off Incapacity Benefit altogether.

 

Since then I have changed jobs several times trying to find a working pattern that suits me. I have tried shifts, early and late, but not nights. I, like most people with ME sleep badly enough without having the disruption of night shifts. I have also tried irregular hours and regular hours, split shifts, evening work, allsorts. I am still searching for the ideal work patterns.