Unfortunately, qualifications are a big thing now mate.
Why not go for your NVQ2 in Plumbing? Sounds like you have plenty of experience and could easily get it??
An NVQ2 would cost you from anything like 600-800 quid and would help you get site work. Particularly if you have your CSCS card.
Alternatively, go private and stick an ad in the local paper etc and go from there.
Let us know how you get on and your contributions are more than welcome
