Time for change ?

I know of at least 3 people who have developed successful businesses mowing lawns and gardening and/or dry stone walling (training with the Dry Stone Walling Assoc).

Something like that could be suitable and would keep you outdoors.

Well, if you were living next door to me I would advise becoming a self employed gardener, my old gardener died some years ago and was charging £12.50 and hour to mow the lawn, more for weeding, planting etc. and that was 10 years ago.
Elderly people in the village are crying out for someone to do their gardens for them and TBH can well afford the current rate of pay.
It might not pay you quite as much as you were on when you were employed, but all you need is your own equipment then you can choose your own hours, design gardens or help people to sort theirs out, plus you can work outdoors. Our local gardening company also lay paths etc.

Having said that the Internet is brilliant for offering career options, Dr Google can be your new friend!
Good luck.

My advice for what it's worth is to do nothing for a while. We are still only just emerging from this pandemic so you will be limited in what you can do anyway.
Reconnect with things you wanted to do before but had no time for.
Get to know your local community and what makes it tick.
Look up old friends and even family you have been isolated from.
Make a plan- some of it you'll stick to and some of it you won't.
You sound like a really positive person to be around and who has a lot to offer- so I'm sure you'll find your way soon!! Let us know what you did!

I never intended to do my gardening ‘jobs’ ( I’m 75)
It started last year when 2 friends of a friend were told by their then gardener that they wouldn’t be coming any more because of the virus.
From that I’ve been approached many times by other people to do their gardening.
I only do 2 days a week and another very simple garden as and when.
And then there’s my own garden ?

Why not do a course in garden design. Good ones are in demand?

Designers that is..........

My friend went into the church when she was in her 50s. Lots of voluntary opportunities out there for you. Take your time and dont overcommit until you are sure its what you want.

My advice....don't do anything just yet!

Take a break - view it as leave and do some research. Look at the local job market and what is or isn't available.
If you're thinking of a move, again use this break to do some research.
If you have a real interest, you could even think about a short course.

If you can afford to for a bit, why not volunteer in an area that you enjoy doing ?
If you are fancying a change of direction, have a look at what training courses are available. If nothing else, if you don't enjoy the training, you might not enjoy the job!

If it were me..........
Would consider looking for a job as a ranger in a national park or forest
Or opening a little afternoon tea shop, once the pandemic settles a bit, serving things like savouries (potted shrimps or sardines on toast, cucumber sandwiches), scones with cream and jam and a couple of nice cake options, along with selection of teas and coffee , off pretty china (loads of old teasers in a second hand place near us) with flowery tablecloths, in a nicely decorated little tearoom. You could probably get business set up grants and might train and employ a youngster from the local catering college. Though that might be too much hassle. And it does depend on the sort of place you live in, whether that type of tearoom would be popular. Am thinking of one I know of like this in Monmouth, where I used to love to go with friends (grans!)

Would looking for a job in the parks dept. be an option if you don't want to be self-employed?

If you want a complete change, do you have any hobbies that might lead to a full-time or part-time job?

However, you need to take into consideration whether it is easy or hard to get a job at 50.

When I was fifty (20 years ago) it was well-nigh impossible and no-one was willing to employ a 50 year old who hadn't been doing the kind of work she was applying for before.

I hope things have changed, but look before you leap.

I wouldn't move, unless I had a job to go to, or were contemplating starting my own business.

Take this as an opportunity to try to find something you really want to do and if you have any talents or hobbies you love then maybe try to find work connected with those.

Try volunteering and see what you then enjoy and go for it as a new career!
Also upping sticks and starting again is challenging but is so rewarding if it works out, but could be isolating and lonely if it does not.

When I was 51 I changed career from Company Pensions to a Holiday Rep. Dreadful pay, but it was the best thing I did work wise. I had 13 years of seeing new places, meeting new people, learnig new skills like diving and making international friends. If you're fit, like meeting people and spending time outside there is nothing like it!

If you’re going to take your time to regroup and get your thoughts in order, perhaps have a look at Future Learn online.

There’s lots of short courses free of charge there, see what sparks an interest. It could be something new or something you already have an interest in.

It will also give your mind a bit of a workout, give you something to talk about at interviews and show any future employer you were not just sitting round enjoying the spring sunshine.

Meanwhile, enjoy the spring sunshine!

I would go back in time and ask myself what were my wishes and dreams when I was 15/16, what did you hope to do, what did you really enjoy doing ..if it' s bring outside ..all weathers ?

My OH was made redundant years ago and filled his time cutting grass and hedges for about 6 months. Also planting plants and bulbs, digging gardens watering etc. It paid the mortgage until he found a job

Spiritof67
Painter /decorator outside /inside.
You will always have work as unlike gardening when weather can hold you up there is always a market for inside home improvements.
I have a lady painter /decorator who has carried out fantastic work for me and can vouch you will have plenty of work.

Oofy....sounds perfect!

I would go into gardening if I were on your position - but I love gardening!
Decorating or 'odd job' lady if you get on with DIY - you would be a God-send to women living alone.
What do you enjoy doing - if you enjoy your work, life is so much better.

What about being a secret shopper. I was going to do it and then we moved. Never got going again.
I did learn that as well as getting paid you often keep goods.also you get out and about.

I don't know how "handy" you are, but I know of several people who run small DIY businesses, doing small jobs for less able/capable people. Apparently they have had jobs ranging from putting up pictures and curtain rails to changing tap washers and changing light bulbs to LED bulbs.
I'd love to do cooking for people but its difficult to do things like filling up people's freezers with home-made meals as people just don't realise the true cost of cooking.
Painting and decorating sounds like a good idea, but you do need a lot of equipment for things like painting ceilings or stairwells.
We used to live in a larger house and made some money by having short-term guests from local language schools who ran 1 or 2 week courses for people from Europe. We met some really nice people this way and often the same teachers came back again another year. We've also had paying guests, often Monday - Friday with an evening meal, many of whom stayed with us (on and off) for years.

I don't think moving away from your comfort zone is a good idea at the moment because you would lose your social networks.

Others have mentioned gardening and painting and decorating. I have a client who has been a handyman for many years and always has plenty of work. As the population is aging there are many of us who no longer have the strength to take on some tasks.

JadeOlivia has the right idea - think about what you dreamed of doing when you were young. Do you have any artistic talents, or sewing?

Good luck

The most important thing at the moment is to set up your address list with all your contacts their phones, emails etc and what their interests are. You may find that you do not have the private emails of colleagues you would like to keep up with, so you should let them know you are leaving and you would like to keep in touch. Put them on aMicrosoft Exel sheet along with your friends, neighbours, relatives.

Join social media i.e. the Nextdoor group.

Think about what you like doing and what skills you have to offer, I appreciate that people like their lawns mowed but if you also refilled their pots this would make you special. or painted their sheds, or fixed the garden fence, gate etc.

Good luck.