Being independent makes me smile a lot. I want to have my own money, so I can pay my own rent and create a stable and healthy life for myself and my kids. At the moment, we have very little. My children and I can’t eat what we like. The lockdown has also made this a lot harder - they eat so much when they stay at home! I’d also love to be able to take them on holiday.
I'm a single father of five children who I cherish more than anything. We've been in temporary accommodation for a year now. It's the first time I've been outside the private rented sector, but not the first time I've been homeless. At one point while my family were in Liverpool I lived on and off for a year in a phone booth and a cardboard box here in London. I worked doing anything I could in order to pay their rent and living costs. Homelessness can never give you a healthy and stable life. It has separated my family and left me and my children dependent on support.
I try to stay calm and focused, and when I know what I want I have a zeal that drives me towards it. I try not to let everything weigh me down. Of course I am not in a great situation, and it causes me stress, but I cope with it for my kids. I know that if I'm not around, who will be there for them?
Some time ago, a friend told me about the job of a Site Safety Controller on the railways. I couldn't afford the training then, but the job really interested me. Even back then I had been dreaming about working on the tracks for a long time. I've always liked the railways. I don't know what it is I like about them, but I want to work near them. They always go on the right tracks. It's a mystery to me. Working to ensure safety on the tracks will be a great experience! Now that the lockdown is starting to ease, I want to do this training and get a job on HS2 to start building skills and experience for my future.
I cannot wait to complete this training and get into employment as soon as possible, so that I can give my children a good and stable life.