This is the 3^rd time I’ve told my story to MSP. The 1^st time I went into some of my disturbing memories from the past. As I’ve said before, this was difficult but I feel like it’s helped me to get past some of these memories.

Since I last spoke in November, my life has continued to improve. I am still in a relationship which has been going really well. We both have our own place so we generally see each other at weekends which suits me down to the ground. We’re not in each others pockets and spend time together because we want to. We have lots in common which really helps. We enjoy walking in parks or in the countryside which really helps us to relax.

I enjoy getting out and about so with a bus ticket and a bit of loose change for some lunch the world really is my oyster. The other day I got the wrong bus in Rochdale and ended up in Bakeup. I’d never been there before, never even knew it existed, but what a lovely place. It ended up being a cracking day out.

I have just got a job with Age UK as a trainee home carer so I’m just getting used to the early mornings. In my last story I spoke about how I’d been volunteering in the community and that I enjoy caring for people. This job suits me perfectly because I get to use my strengths which are patience, empathy and understanding. I’m still training but hopefully I have found my career for the rest of my working life.

I am also glad to say that after suffering with a lot of stress and anxiety with a lot of debt problems I was made an appointment with Citizens advice and my problems have now been sorted out. This appointment was made through Be well who have been a huge comfort zone for me and offered me a lot of support and a great ear to talk to. It’s a huge relief to have my money issues sorted. It’s nice to be able to open letters and answer the door without fear.

I would say to anybody reading this that life can be turned around. There is help and support out there. 10 years ago I would never have imagined that I’d be where I am today. Working with MSP has helped me to come out of my shell, to talk about my past, and I feel so much better for it. I actually think that I can dare to hope for nice things in my future. I have found that if I stay positive, positive things happen, and I like it that way.