Working from home whilst caring

Benefits, finances and funding
1

I am a full time carer for my wife. I supplemented our income by running a computer repair business from home. I don’t find myself able to do this anymore and am wondering if there are resources for working from home that I can look into.

I have strong IT skills but would prefer something else.

best wishes

R

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Hi @user36 Welcome to the forum!

If you have a moment would you like to share more about your situation - only if you’d like to and whatever you’re comfortable to say.

I helped my Mum care for my Dad, taking on more of the responsibilities when I resigned from my job in Brussels and moved back to the UK from 2015 ‘til he passed in 2020. We pivoted hard to Mum’s cancer treatments a couple of weeks after the funeral, and I’m continuing to care for her today.

I started a small company in 2017 and continue to mentor clients about work challenges/career strategies, and consult with small business around my main priority - caring for Mum. I also author a website to support carers.

A few considerations:

  • how much time realistically can you work?
  • beware of shiny ideas about generating income, or “passive income” - usually they involve a lot of effort very little income
  • what’s your main real main objective? - hope you don’t mind the directness…
    • money?
    • doing something different that stimulates your brain or uses your skills?
    • feel valued for yourself beyond the caring your doing?

A good website for you to explore is flexa: https://flexa.careers/

here’s what its founder says:

“I’m Molly, CEO and Co-Founder of Flexa. And back in 2019, I was fired from my finance job because I asked to work from home one day a week, to accommodate my autoimmune condition.

In the job hunt that followed, I realised that too many companies were either giving zero information about their work environment in job ads – or simply saying they were ‘open to flexible working’, which was almost as useless to me!

Unless I figured out the right questions to ask (and unless the hiring managers actually knew the answers), it was impossible to know whether the ways of working at a company were going to be a good match for me.

That’s why we built Flexa: a platform where companies can showcase the details of what makes their workplace tick, from specific information about location flexibility, to details about their company culture, progression paths, corporate missions and more.”

I hope this helps. When you have the chance jump over to RollCall to chat with everyone about random neighbourly things. We’re a fun bunch of people! Click this: https://forum.carersuk.org/t/roll-call-march-2026/128186?u=victoria_1806

best wishes

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Hi,
Thanks for the reply.

I’m a 59 year old male caring for my wife.

I worked from home doing pc repairs and other IT things. A year ago I had a health setback and don’t feel confident providing IT services anymore. Staying up to date with the industry and providing the high level of service I used to provide is too stressful and no longer possible for me. I now provide home movie conversions, but the work is not very frequent.

I’m motivated by a desire to have more money to pay for vets fees and other things we might need. I’m tired of working with people and would be happier working alone.

Not sure what else to share but the resources you mention are useful.

Thanks for the reply!

Best wishes

R

2 Likes
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@user36 I think there are some basic iT roles you could search for with Flexa…I like the way you can search for what you want there rather than trying to conform to an unknown company. E.g. You can search for just 1-2 days of work or flextime

The Carers UK helpline or talking in the Cuppa forum could offer you more advice about employment opps:

For information and signposting, our telephone Helpline is available on 0808 808 7777 from Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm (including Bank Holidays).

If you have a more complex query or would like more detailed guidance, we suggest you contact our email Helpline (advice@carersuk.org), as we’ll be able to provide more information.

You can also find out about our online support sessions here: Online meetups | Carers UK

If you have a general enquiry, please email info@carersuk.org

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Hi User36. I am Kristie i am an online community host for Carers UK. Welcome to the Forum. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate at the moment are you getting any extra outside support? I know it might not feel the same but the Forum has a number of carers from all walks of life who understand what your going through and are happy to support you and share their experience. Also there is a phone number for Carers UK please contact this advice line if you need extra advice. Once again welcome to the Forum.

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