Given the 3.6 million “economically inactive” people aged 50-64 in this country, along with Britain’s productivity problem, it’s a topic that should be receiving far more attention.
In the 2023 Budget the Chancellor announced a big “returnership” initiative to help over-50s back to work, but it was later explained that this was really only signposting older workers to existing programmes.
I have found a few interesting resources and would love to hear if you have used them or discovered others so we can compile a library of useful career services for older workers.
There is, as always, no single right path so the most important thing is to stay open to ideas; don’t rule out anything until you have really explored or even tried it.
BraveStart is a non-profit organisation “which helps people aged 45 to 70-plus feel excited about the next 10-plus years of their career”. It offers a community (membership costs £49) and a structured programme of workshops, along with networking events and ongoing support and guidance.
I took their quiz and was interested to see how my answers compared; it turns out that only 3.5pc fully disagree with the statement “I feel my prospects are limited by age discrimination”.
I also came across A&O Shearman’s “ReStart” programme for unemployed workers aged over 50, now in its eighth year. Over the first seven programmes, nearly 200 participants previously unemployed for up to a year have benefitted from workshops, coaching and mentoring. Of those who took part last year, 100pc said they would recommend the programme to someone else in a similar situation.
Information about 2025’s programme will be posted in December.
There are also several well-established returnship schemes in the private sector.
The Diversity Project, which I chair, works with Career Returners, which offers return-to-work advice to people of all ages and lists specific opportunities.
If none of this appeals, do not despair.
Side-hustles are all the rage – and can become your main event. Technology is your friend here; we no longer need office space to start a business.
Eleanor Mills, former editorial director at the Sunday Times, said when she was let go at 50 “it felt like I had died”. She decided to turn her experience into a business called Noon, to help mid-life women find and embrace their next chapter.
My husband (61) is writing on family, fitness and cooking on Substack, and loving it, and a friend who previously enjoyed a high-octane City career is now an expert gardener.
As each embarks on the next phase of life, they are learning new skills and creating new networks – and really enjoying themselves.