Help me change my life? I want to move out of London, (amongst other things).

[EasySteelBuildings.Co.Uk]

It takes a lot to post a request for help like this !


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Dog Walking is all the rage!

£10.00 p/h

You can walk 2 or 3 at a time (Just place a small ad in the Post Office / Vet window etc - Set up a Face Book Page!)

• Dog Walking
• Dog Sitting
• House Sitting
• Dog Grooming Courses (maybe not for you but you could hand your number in to the local parlours)

You can start this business anywhere then when you're ready to re-locate (sell the round first!) at least you'll have some money! - Plus it's a great way to get talking with people and make new friends!

After that you could look for a nice farmer to assist with a 'Doggy Day Care Business' Rent a Patch of land with a small Building........... Hey-presto!

Average @ £18.50 per day ( 1st target = 10 dogs per day ) Monday-Friday 09:00-16:00 - not a bad income!

Google - Dog Walking 'Your local competition!'

https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sour...=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=Dog+Walking+London+North

Debts:-

I wouldn't leave debts with the housing association it will inevitably catch up with you at some point! - If you have unsecured 'regulated' debts speak with C.A.B - who will help you to clear these! - Don't be tempted to take loans from the local loan shark then re-locate! It never ever.... ends well!!!

Good Luck!!

https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/better-to-try-and-fail-than-never-to-try-at-all

 

[KesAnd74]

Forgive my ignorance but are you saying that there is no work available in London at the moment?
I was under the impression that someone with the right attitude could pretty much walk in to a McDonalds, Sainsburys etc and be working the next day.

Right attitude or not, you can't simply walk into a role the next day. You have to apply through their HR dept', then you need to be invited for an interview, THEN an induction day, THEN you need 'training', then you need to wait to be offered a job. It's anything but as simple as you've been lead to believe. I know, I've done it.

Some Suffolk jobs in pleasant places that may suit your skill set; https://www.suffolkjobsdirect.org/SearchResults.aspx?ocg=985
SS

Thanks. Though the vast majority of jobs listed here require skills I do not have, specialist, well-honed academic skills WITH suitable experience and/or qualifications. I have qualifications: 11 GCSE's, 1 BTEC 1st in Art and Design, 1 BTEC National Diploma n Photography, but no recent 'rent-paying' 8hr-day work experience, (which incidentally is what I'm pretty sure is preventing me from getting job interviews, let alone being offered a job). Don't be fooled, I'm not scared of doing a 12hr-15hr day.

Get out of London, and into mundain poorly paid labour jobs on farms/agriculture, it might be a big hit to your standard of living but if you truly wish to achieve your goal this will be the best route. You will have the chance to meet and mix with people who will pay you for your skills.

I honestly cant see a single person on here willing to sign that type of agreement with you when they dont know you from adam, that type of trust would take years to build.

My standard of living is already pretty rubbish, it can't get much worse, (ok, so I'm not expecting things to get HIDEOUSLY bad, but as things are now, I'm miserable).

Respectfully, I don't have years, I'm in my early 40s, not in the BEST of shape, but a good diet, healthy exercise and a steady income, (if maybe low [but-higher-than-I'm-currently-living-on]) will certainly help me. London's toxic, both morally, physically and it's not somewhere where I've ever loved.

I grew up in Cornwall in a town of about 30,000, (though to be honest I didn't like the incessant gossip so much), but I REALLY miss the countryside itself - the sea air, the lush, green fields, the bird s***ting on your shoulder when you pass under a telegraph pole, the sprawling hills, the cliffs, the seagulls, the windy wet, dank days, the glorious Summer months too of course!

Give me a small studio and access to an abundant supply of natural clay and I'll create pots, bowls, vases, jars etc. Give me a small spot to use my computer, I'll design you some labels for your wife's jams or pies or something so you can sell them at the market, (I'd need reliable internet). Show me how to look after a lamb who's pregnant and is about to give birth, I'll stay up until stupid O'clock to help out. Show me how to feed your cattle, need the dog/s walked so you can get some shut-eye? Ok, I'll take Buster and Polly out for a walk. Want something bought from the local village store or bills paid at the post office? I'll go on my mountain bike and bring back some much needed supplies. Want a shed painted? Ok, I'll paint it. Need muck cleared from the yard, ok, I'll do it. Need someone to man the stall at your farmer's market? Ok, I'll do it. Anyone want to show me how to drive a land-rover or a tractor or a combine harvester?

Ben Law is a woodsman, http://ben-law.co.uk/. He tends to the woodland in the South Downs in Sussex, some of you may have seen him on Channel 4's Grand Designs. He built, (with a little help from his friends and neighbours), his own straw-bale house. He did it for roughly £50,000. In London, you'd be LUCKY to get a garden shed sized plot of land for that kind of money.

I accept of course that Ben's position as a long-standing woodsman was what helped him get permission from the council to build on the land, he'd already worked there for many years prior and needed to live there in order to keep doing what his job - when he leaves/dies, the house has to be demolished. I'd hope that I could be trusted like that.

I realise I'm very unlikely to get a high-flying job that pays £50,000 in just 1 year, but I do intend to build my home for (hopefully) less than that, after all, the greatest part of my build being mud, well, for the most part, that's free,.. straw would cost (paid in labour or hard cash) as would the other important aspects such as soil-controlled heating, drainage, electrics, plumbing etc etc), but if I'm earning, £15,000-£20,000 a year, that ought to be doable.

 

[Robigus]

If you've got nothing then you've nothing to lose.
Try making your own luck.

http://www.awjenkinson.co.uk/#
In the 1960's he had nothing and he started collecting sawdust from local mills and bagging it up and selling it on. Now he has a company that turns over nearly a billion pounds.

Get yourself out of the mindset that you need someone else's help to get-on and go and do it yourself.

PS no one is going to give you a free building plot in exchange for a little unneeded menial labour.

 

[orchard]

If you don't have any luck here try a self-sufficiency group/forum. I know that you're coming to this rather late, but you really need to break you wish-list down into a chronologically achievable sequence, with earning a living and gaining skills/experience outside the Smoke as a priority, otherwise the odds are stacked against you

Right attitude or not, you can't simply walk into a role the next day. You have to apply through their HR dept', then you need to be invited for an interview, THEN an induction day, THEN you need 'training', then you need to wait to be offered a job. It's anything but as simple as you've been lead to believe. I know, I've done it.

Thanks. Though the vast majority of jobs listed here require skills I do not have, specialist, well-honed academic skills WITH suitable experience and/or qualifications. I have qualifications: 11 GCSE's, 1 BTEC 1st in Art and Design, 1 BTEC National Diploma n Photography, but no recent 'rent-paying' 8hr-day work experience, (which incidentally is what I'm pretty sure is preventing me from getting job interviews, let alone being offered a job). Don't be fooled, I'm not scared of doing a 12hr-15hr day.



My standard of living is already pretty rubbish, it can't get much worse, (ok, so I'm not expecting things to get HIDEOUSLY bad, but as things are now, I'm miserable).

Respectfully, I don't have years, I'm in my early 40s, not in the BEST of shape, but a good diet, healthy exercise and a steady income, (if maybe low [but-higher-than-I'm-currently-living-on]) will certainly help me. London's toxic, both morally, physically and it's not somewhere where I've ever loved.

I grew up in Cornwall in a town of about 30,000, (though to be honest I didn't like the incessant gossip so much), but I REALLY miss the countryside itself - the sea air, the lush, green fields, the bird s***ting on your shoulder when you pass under a telegraph pole, the sprawling hills, the cliffs, the seagulls, the windy wet, dank days, the glorious Summer months too of course!

Give me a small studio and access to an abundant supply of natural clay and I'll create pots, bowls, vases, jars etc. Give me a small spot to use my computer, I'll design you some labels for your wife's jams or pies or something so you can sell them at the market, (I'd need reliable internet). Show me how to look after a lamb who's pregnant and is about to give birth, I'll stay up until stupid O'clock to help out. Show me how to feed your cattle, need the dog/s walked so you can get some shut-eye? Ok, I'll take Buster and Polly out for a walk. Want something bought from the local village store or bills paid at the post office? I'll go on my mountain bike and bring back some much needed supplies. Want a shed painted? Ok, I'll paint it. Need muck cleared from the yard, ok, I'll do it. Need someone to man the stall at your farmer's market? Ok, I'll do it. Anyone want to show me how to drive a land-rover or a tractor or a combine harvester?

Ben Law is a woodsman, http://ben-law.co.uk/. He tends to the woodland in the South Downs in Sussex, some of you may have seen him on Channel 4's Grand Designs. He built, (with a little help from his friends and neighbours), his own straw-bale house. He did it for roughly £50,000. In London, you'd be LUCKY to get a garden shed sized plot of land for that kind of money.

I accept of course that Ben's position as a long-standing woodsman was what helped him get permission from the council to build on the land, he'd already worked there for many years prior and needed to live there in order to keep doing what his job - when he leaves/dies, the house has to be demolished. I'd hope that I could be trusted like that.

I realise I'm very unlikely to get a high-flying job that pays £50,000 in just 1 year, but I do intend to build my home for (hopefully) less than that, after all, the greatest part of my build being mud, well, for the most part, that's free,.. straw would cost (paid in labour or hard cash) as would the other important aspects such as soil-controlled heating, drainage, electrics, plumbing etc etc), but if I'm earning, £15,000-£20,000 a year, that ought to be doable.

 

[RWG Contracts]

If you've got nothing then you've nothing to lose.
Try making your own luck.

http://www.awjenkinson.co.uk/#
In the 1960's he had nothing and he started collecting sawdust from local mills and bagging it up and selling it on. Now he has a company that turns over nearly a billion pounds.

Get yourself out of the mindset that you need someone else's help to get-on and go and do it yourself.

PS no one is going to give you a free building plot in exchange for a little unneeded menial labour.

I started out with nothing, and I've still got all of it left

 

[JD6920s]

My grandad always said, "you can't help those that can't help themselves "

 

[JD6920s]

I started out with nothing, and I've still got all of it left

Maybe, but at least you know you've worked hard for it, and at the end of the day it's all yours!

 

[KesAnd74]

Maybe, but at least you know you've worked hard for it, and at the end of the day it's all yours!

I hope you're not implying that I wouldn't work hard,...

 

[Goatherderess]

How about Wwoofing/HelpX for a while? If you find the right place, you can build some skills which will then help to get you a job in the countryside. Otherwise, there are the veg farm jobs available if you contact them, although I appreciate that to leave your accommodation in London to strike out looking for work/home elsewhere will be scary. There of course will be benefits for you if you are very low paid to help with rent etc. Good luck!

 

[JWL]

I'm sorry but this is going to sound pretty harsh but what you're wanting to do is along the lines of a dreamer.
The simple facts are that land is worth a damned site more than you've got and you'll be hard pressed to be taken seriously for any of the types of employment you're offering.
If you're on benefits then get yourself re-educated in something that would be useful to a farming type enterprise. Move out of London, get yourself into a more rural area, yes you'll be in the same position but you'll be taking a step towards your goal.
If you want this dream of yours to work then only you can start making the effort to get there.
Don't you think that there's plenty of people out in the countryside that want to do what you want but they can't as there's hardly any opportunities for them.
To be brutally honest, you're chasing the impossible, look at doing voluntary work for the National Trust or helping out at Community Farms or the like. The only sure fire way you will get to your goal is to win the lottery.

 

[KesAnd74]

I'm sorry but this is going to sound pretty harsh but what you're wanting to do is along the lines of a dreamer. The simple facts are that land is worth a damned site more than you've got,..

I thought I made it quite clear that I'd not be BUYING the land, but leasing it or hiring/renting, (by working for it for the duration of my time using said land to live on) I did clearly say what I wanted to do, in an earlier response.

and

If you're on benefits then get yourself re-educated

While the sentiment makes sense, you can't study to gain qualifications while on benefits. I've asked HM Government about this, they say a distinct no to studying and simultaneously claiming benefits. I have no family whom I can ask to help me with a place to stay for cheap to earn AND learn - where I live, I have to take benefits while I'm trying to get full-time work.

I have an interview tomorrow morning for a telephone research company in Angel followed by a day of basic training on how to use their proprietary phone systems - if they like me, I'll get the job, starting immediately. £8.07p/h, 9:30 till 4:30, 6 days a week inc' some evening shifts too but sadly no overtime is possible, (much to my disappointment). I doubt I'll be able to save much though, the cost of living here in London is, frankly, exorbitant.

and

Move out of London, get yourself into a more rural area,

Hey, guess what, that's EXACTLY what I'm trying to do. Can you remember what I said about WHY I want to move out of London?

 

[JWL]

There is scope for re-training when on benefits, look harder.
Move out of London, get yourself into gear and walk away from your flat in London and get a flat or the likes in a rural town, what you're paying for 3 months in London will get you 6 months in a rural town. there is work if you're prepared to look for it. The likes of MacDonalds, cleaning jobs, working in a supermarket, if you're prepared to work there are jobs out there. Untill you've got into an area you haven't got a hope in hell of finding jobs on local farms or getting any sort of contact with anyone who could even contemplate considering what you are proposing.
"doubt I'll be able to save much though, the cost of living here in London is, frankly, exorbitant.".......... Well get out of London then, if you're serious about this dream then it's only you that can start getting it to work.

 

[ARW]

This thread reminds of that mud hut bloke that wanted to do summat similar on someone's farm, help them out, live in a mud hut, live off the land.
unfortunately nobody wants someone else living on their land in exchange for "help" or small money, not when it's been passed down through generations or cost them £10k an acre

 

[EasySteelBuildings.Co.Uk]

http://www.jvpjobs.co.uk/Jobs/Job/9...f76e6fe8/seasonal-guest-experience-assistants

Cheaper living up north too!
Lots of farms in this area!

Can I just say.. all your replies are on the aggressive - defensive side, you're not coming across as the warm friendly tree hugga you tried to put forward - the idea of ripping off the rent to establish a foot hold on a new life doesn't bode well with most people :-( it says you will be prepared to do the same to them 'if you have too' potentially leaving them in a pickle!

Building a mudden hut - takes time and money (it's not the good life) it will create problems - planning - headaches and no doubt lots of mess!

possession being 9/10 of the law - Not many will hold out an arm to help (that's the truth) so your post is designed and guaranteed to provoke!

Yes it's hard being unemployed - it's hard working for minimum wage - it's hard when you are prepared to work for nothing and everyone still turns you down!


Why!! The truth is anybody worth something rarely does anything for nothing!

Offering free labour just sets alarms ringing!

Did you really offer to walk a farm dog?

Re:
Dog walkers - they easily earn (minimum) £50+ per day (2.5 - 5hrs work) more if you build up a loyal client base! - this would get you started in business! It's free and easy to set up! With plenty of time to do your crafts! DOG BOWLS!

 

[czechmate]

Some nasty folk on here

 

[Ukjay]

Whilst I read this, I am struck by the notion that whoever you are, you are no fool!

Your grasp of the English language and grammar is impeccable, whereby reading your words on each email scream out a person who at least takes time to read and brush up on your skill level.

I know you say you cannot get educated on benefits, but seriously, you are more aligned than a lot of individuals that I have the misfortune to come across.

Whilst I believe your quest may be a difficult challenge, I do not think you should stop trying. People are very quick to shoot down, but they often forget the times when they too needed some support.

For me, you should remain focused, you never know - that one person may be just around the corner!

Heck, If building a cob hut was available on our land I may have even talked deeper here!

 

[haulmblower]

Step1
Walk the farm dogs

Step2
Make yourself useful

Lunch break with farm dog

Christmas caravan style

Farm dog having a grueller

Absolutely anything is possible.

Cheap caravans can be bought for very little money they may not be a Cob house but they are a start and very comfy.

I've never claimed benefits but I'm sure you could get them any where in the Country.
Turn your approach on its head.

My story.
Where I lived on the edge of a large Midlands city, not a very green and pleasant land but it did have a lot of big houses with even bigger hedges. Carers from a special needs school close by used to bring the children in their wheelchairs along our little lane.
Because of the overgrown hedges the roadsweeper could not clean it properly and the walks got shorter and more dangerous.
I knocked on every door and asked if they would pay to have their hedge cut.
Everyone said yes.
I then asked a local farmer to cut them with his tractor and I cleaned the lane with a leaf blower. I collected all the money when the householders came from work and took it to the farmer.

The farmer and i had a long talk I got a LEGAL pitch for my caravan, he got a willing worker.
We are now more like family than friends.

What I'm trying to say with this long winded blather is,

You will have a much better chance discussing your plans in person rather than on a forum.
Try the dog walking, save the money, get out to the country, stay in a b&b, buy a tent, talk to farmers they are really very nice people and a lot of them WILL help you.

It is all about trust.

My motto now is
Ask not what a farmer can do for me, but what I can do for a farmer.

JFK said something like that first, though i think mine is better.

Good luck

Oh, I was 56 when all this happened to me, I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
I've only got two people I would call friends, both farmers.
I only see my brother a couple of times a month, so not a huge support network.

Checkout the dog walking, this time next year you will be posting in Today at Work

 

[EasySteelBuildings.Co.Uk]

Yes good post!

Anything is possible, just to point out I wasn't being nasty :-/

I said don't run from debt but use your time now to pave the way forward.

Free land for free labour with free clay and free water.. it's all a bit dreamy - like the other guy said you're no fool, you are an intelligent person which makes me think you're provoking a reaction - We have all wished you luck!

Dog walking is big all over the UK the London Ads charge more than £10 p/h (A good little earner - I would say!)

In the meantime you may still qualify for benefits.... i.e H. & C.T Benefit - Tax Credits? based on income earned 2016-2017 being low or even zero.

 

[Dry Rot]

My father worked for a Jewish firm for years (we are not) and used to come home with some lovely well worn Jewish sayings about business. Well worth doing a Google to read a few. Whatever we think of the goings on in Israel, the Jews are experts at pulling themselves up by their boot straps and starting again from nothing.

I remember one that might suit this thread. "Go and buy a piece of cloth for £5. Cut it in half and sell the two halves for £3 each. Now you have the beginnings of a business".

It has never been easier to reach a market with Ebay, Gumtree, and umpteen other free or cheap advertising sites. The OP is articulate and has a computer. He just wants his dreams handed to him on a plate -- and that ain't gonna happen!

 

[wilber]

I think you've had your answer. The rest is up to you to take that first step.