I was in your shoes just a couple of years ago - the good thing was that I didnt have pprune painting a grim picture of my future.
Yes the jobs market is pants at the moment in the UK, but in the past it has been pretty cyclical - what goes down generally goes back up again.
Take it one step at a time and concentrate on getting the CPL and then consider the next step. Instructing may be poorly paid, but it is an excellent apprenticeship and a lot of fun. As for the weekend stuff. Get used to it. There are very few pilots out there who manage to get every weekend off.
Enjoy your flying
COD