Bulky-Process3063's journey

I just found out that I’m being made redundant from my job at the NHS after four years. It’s a tough situation, and I’m only set to receive four months of redundancy pay. I’ve calculated that I can stretch my savings to survive for about eight months, which gives me a bit of a buffer. However, I’m in a bit of a bind because I can’t take another NHS job for four weeks after my employment ends without losing my redundancy pay. I can look for non-NHS roles right away, but my work is quite niche, although I believe my skills are transferable. At 50 years old, I’m hesitant to pursue a management position, and I’m concerned about age discrimination in the job market, especially with AI becoming more prevalent. I’m contemplating whether it’s wise to only apply for jobs that start after my contract ends to protect my redundancy payout, or if I should start looking for opportunities immediately. I’m feeling a bit lost and would appreciate some advice on whether I’m being unreasonable in my thinking or if I should jump ship as soon as possible. I’ve received some feedback suggesting that having a regular salary is more valuable than redundancy pay, and that it’s easier to secure a job while still employed. Others have emphasized the importance of protecting my family and securing employment quickly. I’m grateful for the support and insights, but I’m also feeling burned out. I have a supportive husband, we’re renting affordably, and I’m currently debt-free, but I know things can change rapidly.