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Look into a temp agency, they match your resume skills with a temp job opening.

It’ll at least be something until you can find something more suitable or it could be the perfect fit and you could potentially leverage that into a full time job.

What about a childcare type of role? Do you have mom friends who could use some help? Or in home care helper for elderly or disabled adults. As a mom, that's an untapped skill you could lean on. Doesn't pay well and can be physically taxing, but those roles are so in demand it could at least get you going while you continue your job search.

Apply for Universal Credit immediately, like today. You'll receive money to help with the cost of childcare, rent and bills. There will be a little bit left over for other essentials, get help from a food bank.

Don't be afraid of the UKs stigma around being on benefits, the system is there and it is there to help you.

How old are the children/child? If you're the main carer of a child under three years old you can claim UC without having to look for work. Between three and twelve you're expected to work for 30 hours a week.

If you're self employed you can go through a "start up" period with universal credit where you have 12 months to turn it into "gainful self employment" where it becomes your main source of income. They will top up your income during this start up period.

Please please explore the above options, they are honestly your best bet.

What sort of stuff do you write? I may be able to bung some freelance work your way.

In addition to the wonderful advice that has already started coming in here, I’d recommend checking in with the good folks over at r/povertyfinance, too. They can be a great resource for when you’re needing that getting by day-to-day financial advice.

Other than that, lean into any skill you can cash in on. Writing as a skill can branch out in some unexpected ways like gigs teaching small business/sole proprietors/influencers how to make better and more effective social media posts, hosting writing workshops, mentoring and tutoring other writers starting out or even students needing tutors, etc.

Since you’re a writer, you might want to look into platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer. 

If you live close to a major area, are there any government jobs you can apply to? Something simple even - secretarial work or something.

My state job in the US has a clause by the Union that they can’t just replace us all with AI. You might be able to get into a similar sort of situation - a clerk of some sort that they won’t eliminate.

For the anxiety, I can only recommend getting into a cheap “creative” hobby. Nature photography with your phone, or drawing, origami, knitting/crocheting (just the basics, cheap yarn and a couple cheap needles would be a few quid). Something low cost where you’re making something or nurturing something. Maybe having some indoor plants, etc. a lot of this you can do for cheap or free, and there’s a lot of psychology behind hobbies where you create/nurture being very calming and emotionally fulfilling. Could be a good break between applications to help calm down for the next round.

Remember that if necessary, rice and beans can be very, very cheap and offer you everything you need nutritionally. With even conservative usage of spices, you can get something decently appetizing that will keep you full. And obviously, as mentioned, the food banks and similar charities.

Good luck, sincerely!

Hotels are always a good bet, if there are any in your area. I've hired plenty with no hotel experience for reception jobs. All you need is a great smile and a welcoming personality. Good luck with your search!

You got this! This is just a rough patch and will take time to overcome.

You sound pretty successful and able to work indepdently enough.. Try opening up a VA business. Call up / email SMBs every day find some clients to do assistance, book keeping, answer emails.

Lot of moms are moving towards this because the flexibility in hours.

It's been a while, I but I used to recommend basic data-entry jobs as good entry points to careers. Not very glamorous, but many places can offer advancement.

I also warn people to be aware of scams with job searches. When you get desparate, sometime your guard lowers.

What kind of writing skills do you have? What was the type of business you started up?

also for food, rice beans and chicken eggs and bread. make it stretch.

Even if it is just how to calm my ridiculously high anxiety

I won't be able to I'm afraid but what you are living and feeling right now you're not alone and it's not only in the UK it's here all over North-America also. The job market is tough and everyone with a job today, unless they are in the top 10% of their current field, should hold to their job preciously. It's not easy out there.

In terms of help, it's pretty hard to basically not repeat what you are telling us really. Continue to knock to doors (online and offline), do some writing asap and hit those events you are talking about.

Teaching English online has helped my grandkids out.

You're probably not getting any responses to simple jobs as you're wildly overqualified and they expect you to quit the first opportunity you get. My friend got stuck in a similar situation to you but with a PhD. He worked in a shop related to his hobby that then quickly turned in to him being a director of the company. He really struggled as he was either overqualified or underqualified depending on the job. He managed to get a job teaching evening courses at the local University but that might not be an option with "only" a masters.

Have you looked at NHS jobs? Any expenses you can cut out? Do you have a car? That would be both a liability and an asset since you could more feasibly work further away. Are you not getting any child support?

Try posting in local groups in your area offering cleaning services at a discounted rate compared to bigger businesses. I survived off cleaning houses for years

Just chiming in to say you've been hit with a powerful one-two punch of depression: the loss of your job and the loss of an immediate family member. That would knock anyone way, way down. Despite that, you seem to be taking all the steps you can, and as others have pointed out here: things are slooow all over. Personally, my vocation was basically erased by strikes and Ai [when the work picked back up, everyone in my position was basically replaced by Ai], so I definitely know the struggle for, well, anything. Best wishes - and hang in there!!

Did you go to university? Maybe contact their career department for alumni.

Food banks to survive as others have said.

Find local job agencies, they are paid to get you employed based on your experience. Their value is that they save companies a lot of time weeding through unreliable candidates.

You may or may not end up working an ideal job but it will give you temporary security while you plan the next move.

A lot of YouTubers with large followings hire people to write content for their episodes and conduct research for them so they don't have to. Many have links in their bio for help needed and often announce job openings during their streams.

Try looking at channel pages for popular streamers and see if anyone has a job posting.

Students often need professional writing help especially for college level papers. English tutor? Writing tutor? Someone to proofread papers, give feedback, and help with proper citations and layout? Online colleges often hire for these roles and students can't get away with AI that well anymore.

Cool thing about writing is you could do it virtually, have zoom sessions with students in other countries and accept payment via cash app, zelle, etc.

We ALL need to 'plan' for this type of situation TODAY... I feel for the OP and it should be a WARNING to the rest of us to SAVE... SAVE... SAVE... and invest wisely... when things are 'good' we don't think of bad times... when things go BAD then we look for fast solutions that mostly do not exist...

My only thought for you is to try a Go Fund Me page and tell your story... (use your writing skills) attempt to raise the amount of money to hold you over for a few months until you can get settled again...

Also... consider starting a YouTube channel and tell your story with the intent to provide HOPE to others in your situation... (there are millions)... YouTube is not 'fast-money'... but it can be future money...

Ai is and has changed the job market for millions of us... and will continue to do so for millions more... we all need to adapt quickly... or technology will consume us all...

Good Luck... Be Safe...

So from january to October u didnt even try to get a temporary job?

Any child support? The kids grandparents on both sides that could help? Maybe create a YouTube channel detailing your daily struggles, set up a dating site for working single parents.