The best part of living in London is that there are always people around. I love finding out new things about the city and its residents when reading the local paper. My experiences since I moved to here have been tough but I'm ready to explore what this city has to offer me now.
I became homeless in 2015. I had just moved to London and struggled to find anywhere affordable to live. Whilst trying to find my feet, my passport and money were stolen and I ended up living in squat for a long time. For a few years I lived between squatting, sleeping rough and sofa surfing. I managed to hold down a few hospitality jobs but there were times when I got really low. When I look back, I see myself as a young person who spent winters sleeping next to bins. It shouldn't have been like that but I was vulnerable and didn't know where to turn.
Thing started to improve when I got a phone at the beginning of 2020. I could connect with others, build a support system and use it to access the internet. When coronavirus first came about, I was helped into a hotel by St Mungo's and I was able to access even more support. I now feel really motivated to start this new chapter in my life and getting into work is the first step. I love working with my hands and doing practical things which is why construction appeals to me.
In the short term I want to get into work, rent somewhere of my own and start saving some money. I'd like to save up and go back to Senegal to look for my parents. I was adopted when I was a child so this is a something that's really important to me. I'm hoping that my drive and determination will help me get there!