I am generally a very positive person, and I seek help when I need it. That’s why I’m working with Beam now, to get the help I need to move forward with my life. I love working and I'm very focussed. When I'm given a task to do I'm diligent and I do it well. I always get a great feeling when I see a job completed to a high standard.
I’ve been homeless on and off since 2015. Sometimes I sleep rough, but when I can I pay to stay in a backpackers hostel. In 2018 I was attacked while sleeping rough which left me partially blind in one eye. Another night that year, someone died who was rough sleeping next to me. It’s been tough living through all this, the instability and the setbacks, but I’m determined to get a full time job so I can pay for myself. That’s what’s most important for me - being able to pay for a roof over my head, to put food on the table. I really value my autonomy.
I’ve got 21 years in construction so far, working on everything from slab laying to roof replacements and roadworks. I love this type of work but I need to upskill and get the qualifications necessary to find more permanent work and make enough money to get my own place. Achieving this qualification will help me to do this, and to improve on what I already know. I’m really motivated to learn everything I need to do the job. At the end of the day I want to be the best at what I’m doing.
In a few years I want to be able to rent my own place comfortably and to enjoy my social life stress free. I’m really looking forward to paying for my niece to come over from Ireland to see me. I haven’t seen her in 7 years.