It makes me smile every time I am with my children, knowing that they are healthy and content. My goal is to go back into either part-time or full-time employment where I can earn a reasonable wage so I can afford to treat my kids to a holiday and we can visit my family in my country. I would like to be able to have a place of our own, where my two boys can be safe and secure and where I can spend quality time with them while they are still young.
My children and I had to leave our home following a relationship breakdown with my ex-partner who I'd been with for 11 years. The relationship was causing me so much grief, stress and anxiety. He had started borrowing money from me and I noticed that it was becoming more frequent, never repaying any of it. I later found out he had issues with drug addiction. Our relationship became more volatile and the abuse deteriorated into physical and sexual violence.
Being homeless has been a terrible experience, made so much worse by having children to look after. The feeling of hopelessness and vulnerability were so extreme that I almost wanted to give up on life. Because of my children, I had to persevere and find somewhere where I can shield them and make them feel safe.
I like working with the elderly. I used to work as a home carer and it had been a fulfilling career for me knowing that I made a huge difference to someone’s life by helping them to maintain their dignity, being a good companion, and fulfilling their physical, social and emotional needs. I want to work in an industry where I can make a difference to someone’s life. Knowing in some ways that my situation is like theirs, as I had been in a vulnerable circumstance myself. I want to give something back.