At nearly 50 I was made redundant from my job of 20 years. It utterly destroyed me, says POLLY HUDSON. Now I'm happier than ever, financially sorted - here's the essential guide of what to do if it happens to you ⊕

When I was made redundant, I felt like I'd been shot. The verbal bullet hit me right in the career, but ricocheted out to wound my confidence, my relationships and my mental health.