This is something I used to do during slack times.
Make yourself a little "To Work, Action Time"! Kit or t**t for short. Here's my old one. Made on vista print . Mini portfolio, flyers, window cards and a mug I borrowed of
@theclemo
Google addresses for every newsagentand post office in a 30 mile radius and get yourself out and about. Put a windowcard in every shop that will take one, cheap form of advertising. Stick a card in every screwfix, b&q, toolhire sainsburys. Pop flyers in what look like potential jobs.
Sometimes just being out and about with purpose you bump into people by chance.
Do a mail shoot via email. Google contacts for q.s, architects, builders anyone in the trade , you'll find hundreds of emails. Send an email introducing yourself , attach some pics of work and references or testimonials.
Use the search bar on here, lots of threads on generating work.
At the very least you will feel like your being productive.
Best of luck, keep involved with thisplace