Since my course finished prematurely I have been trying to get in with a spread for some experience and guidance but am having no luck at all- either no work available or they don't fancy showing me the ropes and then have me setting up in competition (can't blame them if i'm honest). I've bonded and reskimmed my hallway and not done too bad a job of it but i am not at the level where i would feel comfortable charging someone. I have thought about printing some flyers and offering my services free within reason (small patchwork or small walls) to gain some experience. I don't want to devalue the trade or do other spreads out of work so i would only take jobs that were too small or too much hassle for spreads to bother with, but i need to do something as i'm getting on my own nerves and don't want to start sounding desperate which i am. I know work is scarce but i really do want to learn this trade and not go back into a factory. Please be gentle with your responses as the negativity i'm encountering at the moment is doing my head in.