The whole reason I wanted to work with Beam is so I can have a steady job, that generates substantial income. I’ve been working in healthcare for 5 years so all the skills I’ve acquired, I can use to my advantage in my new role as a dental nurse.
6 years ago, I had to leave the home I was sharing with my partner. I started sleeping in night shelters, before being offered a place in a hostel. I’ve always been a hard-worker and quickly got myself a job, but the hostel rent was over £1,000. As I was working, I wasn’t eligible for extra help and I couldn’t make ends meet. I lived there for 6 months before having to move out. I was staying with my Mum but the house was so overcrowded, I was deemed homeless. I've now moved into new housing but I’m in the same situation again - my rent is so much and I’ve got into thousands of pounds of debts and arrears. In September, I received a notice to attend court over the debt.
I’ve had lots of advice on how to improve my situation and am working with my housing provider to calculate an instalment plan. I’m working at the moment, but it’s a zero-hours contract so each month is a struggle to even have £50 leftover to pay back my arrears.
Recently, I finished my maternity leave. When I went back to work I thought “it’s time for a career change where I can really improve my future prospects.” I went to a jobs' fair and that's where I came across Beam. I knew dental nursing was what I wanted to do - I just needed help funding it. I contacted them, got my housing officer to refer me and here I am! Once I’m settled in my new dental nurse role, I really want to start supporting others. My plan is to open an agency that assists single Mum’s back into work after maternity leave. Just like how Beam is helping me!