Leaving tenants happy because I’ve fixed something in their home is a great feeling. As soon as I left school I went into electrics and began an apprenticeship. 20 years down the line, it’s still a job I love doing.
The last two years have been really hard. My marriage broke down and we had so much debt that it was impossible to save for a deposit at the same time. I had nowhere to go and had to sleep on the sofa with my ex’s parents and friends. Not having a stable roof over my head or having anywhere to take my children was the hardest thing for me. I continued working throughout all of that, but in July 2019 my company got bought out and they let go of all the electricians without certain certifications. Losing my job was when I hit my rock bottom. I turned to drug and alcohol abuse, tried to take my own life and was put on medication late last year.
Since then, I've had really great support from two local organisations and I'm free from all those problems now. I have no more issues with substances, have been signed-off my medication and I’ve been provided my own space as well. I'm back in a place where I really want to return to work. I want to have something to get up for each day. At the moment, I just feel stuck in limbo with no money and no work. Updating my qualifications so I can work again will help with everything. Working makes me feel good about myself and will massively improve my self-worth.
I have a trade where I can earn good money and have the means to enjoy life again. When I get paid, the first thing I have planned is saving for my own deposit, so I can return to my home borough and be closer to family and friends.