There are plenty of jobs in/around Manchester, you shouldn't have a problem finding something you at least enjoy. Concentrate on that first, working out your next career step is much easier if you're in a job you don't hate.
It's worth meeting up with other like-minded people, there are plenty of tech talks at madlab[0] that will be full of people who are hiring or know who is hiring.
Additionally, check out some of better-known agencies for vacancies[1,2,3,4]
Disclaimer; I know nothing about the PHP landscape, so you may already be at one of the above, or they may be terrible employers. Take care and make sure you don't take a backward step.
It's worth meeting up with other like-minded people, there are plenty of tech talks at madlab[0] that will be full of people who are hiring or know who is hiring.
Additionally, check out some of better-known agencies for vacancies[1,2,3,4]
[0] http://madlab.org.uk/
[1] https://www.fabric.co.uk/about/recruitment/
[2] http://www.worshipdigital.co.uk/web-developer-manchester/
[3] http://www.magmadigital.co.uk/contact/career-opportunities/p...
[4] http://www.studioskylab.com/careers/wordpress-web-applicatio...
Disclaimer; I know nothing about the PHP landscape, so you may already be at one of the above, or they may be terrible employers. Take care and make sure you don't take a backward step.