I first came to the UK in 2015. I have worked as a support worker, a carer and a housekeeper to earn money and make my situation more stable. I have also been sending money home for my four children, who all live in Nigeria. I miss them every day.
Two years ago, I left the UK to look after my mother in Nigeria as she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. When I went home, I lost everything - so when I came back to the UK, I was empty handed. One of my friends allowed me to stay with her and her three children while I looked for work. I slept on the floor, but the property was overcrowded. I got a job at a school as a housekeeper and started to save up my money, but after just three months, the UK government announced the second lockdown. I lost my job. Then one night, just like that, my friend explained that she wanted me gone.
I slept rough for over a month after that. I never had health problems before but due to the heavy cold my blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels all became high. But I had a strong mind, and luckily through help from strangers I was able to get connected to the Council who offered me a shelter. Now I’m living in temporary accommodation, but each month I feel anxious that I’ll be asked to leave. I want to be able to move somewhere more stable.
I’ll never forget that I’ve overcome something so hard as sleeping on the street. I want to work as a carer or support worker now, because I get immense satisfaction from helping people - especially vulnerable people who need help, like the position I was in. In the future, I want to make sure my four kids can live here with me. I dream of working hard to build a shelter for homeless orphans in Africa and making a difference.
I can’t express my feelings of gratitude for the team at Beam. It feels like I’ve found my long lost family, who never fail to give me a boost of energy. I always look forward to my Beam meetings, and I can’t wait to keep working together in the future towards a common goal.