Cooking is my absolute passion. When you have an active interest in something, you never want to stop exploring it. This is how I feel about cooking and why I want to do this training. I'm somebody who likes to achieve the goals I set out for myself, so I'm looking forward to this challenge.
Back in 2012 when I was pregnant with my second child I started noticing changes in my ex-partner's behaviour. He stopped helping out with essentials like food, rent and generally looking after the family. After I gave birth things worsened, he became violent and I discovered he'd developed a gambling problem. It was really hard as I didn't have any friends or family in this country to turn to. He eventually left. While this was a relief in one respect, it meant that I then had to struggle looking after a toddler and a newborn by myself. I first moved to this country to be with my ex-partner, so after he left my immigration status was up in the air. At this stage I realised I needed to start working to gain my leave to remain as a single woman.
On one fateful day in 2015, I went out with my kids and when we returned we found that the landlord had completely changed the locks. We had no where to go, no clothes, absolutely nothing. I decided to go to the police station because I didn't know what else to do. My children and I ended up spending three nights in the station. As difficult as that was, the police helped me to connect to the social services. That's when things started to get a bit better. They housed us from August 2015 until July 2019, when my leave to remain was finally granted.
Being homeless is really hard. Challenges will come but when you are focused and determined you'll know there's always a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm still living in temporary accommodation now, but I'm more determined than ever. Building a comfortable life for my children and being independent are my main motivators. In a couple of years time I want to have a beautiful place to call home, be working as a professional chef and be able to support other people in need because I know what it's like to have struggled.