When I think about the future, I dream of a life where I don’t have to rely on others for help. I’ve never been homeless before now and although I received support from some amazing people, I have a strong will to be independent.
I became homeless after I lost my job as a cashier during the first lockdown. At the time, I didn’t realise that I could receive benefits and I didn’t know the struggle I would face in finding work. When I did finally reach out for help, I was at the bottom of my overdraft and on the brink of having nothing. I went to find work in another part of the UK but when I found nothing, I came back to London, where the council put me up in a hotel. From there, I was helped by St Mungos who supported me into temporary housing and assisted me to get set up on benefits.
Recently, my situation has improved. I have been offered a role working as a kitchen porter in a restaurant nearby. I’ve done roles like this before and I know I’m great at keeping things under control in the kitchen. Despite this, it will be hard to sustain myself in the early stages of the job without support. I don’t have any money for things like travel as well as sturdy shoes and clothes. Raising money for these things with Beam will be so important in helping me get off to the best start and making the role sustainable.
In the future, I’d love to learn new skills. I have some experience as a plumber from when I lived in Iran, so I’d like to get my CSCS card to give me the chance to expand on my knowledge. I’m a really positive person and I know that this is just the start of things improving for me.