I ended up in foster care when I was eight years old, I was passed from pillar to post for a good few years. I ended up settling with a family when I was around 11. They were good foster parents and looked after me but it never felt like my true family. I was never that close with them because there was always a sort of wall between us.
When I was 18 I joined the army as a tank driver, I left the army at 21 and got into the wrong crowd. They were nice lads but we all got into a lot of trouble, taking drugs, stealing cars, that type of thing.
I was working as a kitchen fitter up in Hartlepool for 7 years and really enjoyed it. But I was in a really toxic relationship. I split up with my partner and just left with the clothes on my back. I was sleeping in churches in Leeds as I had nowhere to go. The church recommended I go to an Emmaus so I was put in Emmaus Bradford until it closed down. That’s when I got the option to move to Emmaus Leeds.
I’ve been in Emmaus Leeds for a year now and I really enjoy it. It’s got a good atmosphere, the people are nice, the staff are good and you get loads of options to train and do work experience. I work mostly in the warehouse and I like it because I’m always busy. In the warehouse I move furniture, do a lot of repairs and build furniture. I guess being a kitchen fitter in the past has helped me. I also go out in the vans a lot and recently got qualified in PAT testing so I do that too. I do work really hard here, I do what I can to give something back.
I passed my driving test in July which has been really good for me as I can drive the vans and the car here. We have a car that I am allowed to use. I took trips to York, Manchester and Scarborough recently. I love seeing old castles and stuff like that.
I really want to get a job soon. Ideally kitchen fitting, as I really enjoyed doing that in the past. I’d love to build up my tools and eventually own my own business, that’s the dream really.
Emmaus Leeds is a great charity; they’ve helped me to get back on my feet and will give you any resources you need. The staff here are amazing, there’s no pressure, you can go at your own pace and get better.
The main thing I love about being here is not having to cook! We have some ex-chefs here and its brilliant, not having to think about what meals and just having them made for you, I love it.
In my spare time I like to game on my computer, mainly COD. I like going and seeing old buildings and architecture. I also get involved in the park runs and I enjoy that.
If someone was thinking about coming to an Emmaus I’d say join, it’s a roof over your head, a meal in your belly and eventually you will get back on your feet.