Myself, my wife and two children were relatively recent arrivals in the UK when the pandemic started. I had been hoping to start work quickly in construction and setup a life for us, but unfortunately I wasn't able to do that during lockdown so the council stepped in to help us with emergency accommodation.
Although it was great that we got help, we were told that my wife could not stay with us because she did not have settled status. This was really tough because we'd come to the UK together to build our life here.
We haven't been able to afford the costs to change her status, so we made the difficult decision for her to go back to her home country with the children until we can get this sorted. I have to move out of this accommodation within a month so I need to find my own place as soon as possible. I spent the last of my money to pay for my family's passage back home so the funding will make a huge difference to me.
I have worked in the construction industry for thirty five years before I came to this country. It is what I know best. I've spent many years working in the US as a carpenter so I'd love to bring my trade to UK construction.
My dream is to establish myself in this country, maybe start my own business and bring my family back in the future to live here!