I have been at Look Ahead since 2020, and my life is changing for the better. My support worker has been a big help, I’ve learned to manage my money well, and I’m pursuing a few goals.
It has been going really well so far. I’ve managed to save up and buy a TV and a fridge of my own for my room.
I have two main aims for my time here. My first one is to get back into work. I’ve always loved helping people, and I used to do it every day in the past, back when I worked at M&S, and then as a Prison Custody Officer too. Thankfully, Look Ahead has given me lots of opportunities to gain new experience and volunteer, which I hope will set me up to get a new job when I’m ready.
I’ve been able to help out my fellow residents as a customer service volunteer, where I live. I’m so happy to support them, and I enjoy cleaning our dining area, and serving them food. I like helping to tidy up afterwards too, I make sure everything is neat and organised, just like my room. At the end of last year, I won a customer award too, which has encouraged me to try even harder.
My support worker also helped me to take on new courses and training opportunities, and I was even able to get back in touch with the Children’s Scrap Project, which is near where I live in Hackney. I’m now volunteering with the project again, which means I get to help with admin and back-office tasks. Best of all, I can now get there on my own without any help.
I’ve started pursuing other passions too. Look Ahead introduced me to Core Arts. I go there and every week to draw and practice my calligraphy. I hope I’ll be able to have an exhibition of my own one day.