Since I can remember, I've always worked and love being part of a team working towards the same goal. The financial independence that comes with working also means that I'm able to send money home to my family in Eritrea and pay for somewhere to live. Coronavirus meant that I couldn't do either of those things. I've never slept rough until this year when I experienced what it's like to lose my job as well as the roof over my head.
Before the pandemic I was working for an agency in the hospitality industry. I lost my job when lockdown began and because I wasn't a permanent worker I wasn't eligible for furlough. The contract for the house I was living in turned out to be illegitimate and when my landlord found out I'd lost my job, he kicked me out. I had no idea what my rights were and I had nowhere to go. I then slept rough for a few weeks with very few belongings. Not being able to pay for the most basic things like food or transport was the hardest part. They are freedoms that I've never considered I could lose. I was eventually found by someone from Street Link who helped me to get support from the council. They provided me with the temporary accommodation that I'm in now.
I've worked in warehouses before so I'm familiar with the kind of work that happens there. I know what my plan is and I'm ready to execute it. I can't continue to live in this accommodation for much longer so getting into work will give me the financial support I need to rent my own place and get back to stability. I'd love the next few years to be a platform for me to start my own business in the future. My dream would be to open an Eritrean restaurant where everybody will be welcome.