In recent months, much has been said about the jobs crisis hitting both younger would-be workers and those later in life, who may have faced a shock redundancy.

It can be easy to lose faith and give up on the job hunt, especially after dozens of rejections.

However, one man who lost his job more than 20 years ago after battling serious health issues, says: 'don't give up - there is a job out there for you which you are well-suited to...'

Options include 'returnships' designed to help experienced professionals refresh their skills and rebuild confidence could help, as we explain below.

Mark Allen has endured more than most. The 55-year-old worked in supermarkets for 20 years before his health and life started falling apart. 

Mark, who lives in North Wales with his dog, Riley, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1981. 

But it was in 2002 that his health seriously started to decline. Weeks after getting married to his late wife, Lesley, Mark was in hospital. 

Mark had started to develop dry skin on his left foot. He used a pumice excessively to try and get rid of the dry skin but failed. Ulcers started to develop and, over time, a severe infection ensued. 

In October 2003 Mark was made redundant from his supermarket job. His health deteriorated to the extent he was struggling to work. The supermarket did not offer Mark any potential alternative role. 

Mark told This is Money: 'I felt angry when I was laid off. It made me feel like I was no longer employable. I applied for jobs but didn't get anything as soon as I mentioned my health. 

'I had to start living on benefits, which is never something I wanted to do.'

Mark's mental and physical health deteriorated further. He started feeling suicidal and attempted to take his own life on two occasions. His wife was instrumental in encouraging him to keep going. 

Over time, Mark's health problems worsened. 

He had constant infections in his left foot. Eventually, infection spread to the bone in his leg. Mark had his first below the knee amputation in January 2014. 

'I was in agony and concluded getting the amputation was my best bet. I wanted to do anything I could to improve my quality of life.' 

Under more strain, Mark's right foot started to become painful. Again, ulcers, pain and infections became the norm. Mark had a second below the knee amputation in December 2021. 

Mark said: 'It was bad enough when I lost the left foot and part of my leg. When the second one had to come off, I thought I was on the scrap heap. My wife insisted this was not the case.' 

He added: 'I was initially told I would be in a wheelchair for good. But I now have prosthetics and was determined not to be in a wheelchair all the time.'

But Mark hugely missed not being in work.

He said: 'By this point I still believed I was employable and had something to offer. But employers seemed to think otherwise. 

'It had a devastating effect on me and I felt useless and unwanted. I just did not want to be on benefits for the rest of my life.' 

The start of a new chapter

Mark used to take his late father-in law, who suffered from Alzheimer's, to a local cafe in Colwyn Bay every morning. 

One morning a lady in the cafe was handing out leaflets aimed at helping people get back to work. Mark took one of the leaflets. 

'I was asked to go the job centre and met a lovely lady who started telling me I would be well-suited to a job in care as I'd been an unpaid carer for my wife and father-in-law', Mark said.

Mark was told a firm called Cera Care potentially had jobs. Within weeks, Mark had an interview and was offered a role at the company.

Mark said: 'I was absolutely over the moon to be offered a job. It felt brilliant that someone was willing to take a chance on me. I was a bilateral amputee and had managed to find work.'

For Mark, getting a job improved his life immeasurably. His self-esteem and sense of purpose started to return.   

Mark said: 'I enjoy going to work every day. I help a lot of older people and it is very rewarding work. I focus on supported living and can be doing anything from taking clients to where they want to go to helping prepare their meals or just talking to them.' 

Getting a job after being out of work for a long time

Mark's renewed sense of purpose and zest for life since getting a job is testament to his dogged determination to keep going and improve his quality of life. 

But for many it is not easy getting a job when you have been out of work for a long time.

'Don't give up as there is a job out there for you which you are well-suited to', Mark said

Katie Emerton, a recruitment expert at CV-Library, said: 'Being out of work for a long period shouldn’t be seen as a barrier back to work. 

'Employers are increasingly recognising non-linear careers and many candidates returning to work bring valuable life experience, transferrable skills and resilience; sometimes more important than the number of jobs held.'

She added: 'For over-50s, confidence is key. 

'Focus on skills and achievements you’ve built throughout your career, be transparent about any career breaks, and highlight any training or upskilling you’ve completed to set you up for returning back to work'

Returnships also provide a valuable route back into employment. 

'These structured programmes are designed to help experienced professionals refresh their skills and rebuild confidence before moving into more permanent roles. 

'While they are more common in sectors such as technology, finance and business operations they highlight a wider shift towards helping older workers re-enter the workforce faster and with little fuss.

Emerton added: 'If returnships aren't a fit, there are other ways to set yourself up for success. 

'Updating digital skills, completing short training courses, tailoring your CV to highlight transferrable and in-demand skills and speaking to friends, family and former colleagues can help open doors to hidden opportunities. 

'Most importantly, don’t underestimate the value of your experience, as employers will value adaptable and dependable candidates who carry a wealth of experience and knowledge.'

A voluntary role could be a good way to further your skills and grow your network while giving something back. 

Mark says getting a job in care had had a 'great impact' on his life and he enjoys helping other people - and a change of career has done him the world of good. 

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