I’m 40 years old, and I never thought I’d be living in a static caravan at this stage in my life. But here I am, parked up in a little corner of a site just outside St Albans, trying to make the best of it. I work for the NHS, and I love my job. It’s tough, and it’s draining, but it’s what I’m meant to do. The problem is, no matter how hard I work, I can’t afford to live anywhere near the hospital. Not in this town, anyway.

I’ve looked at flats, even tried to figure out if I could rent a place, but the prices are just ridiculous. There’s no way I could afford it on my salary. I’ve been with the NHS for over 15 years, and you’d think that would count for something, but when it comes to housing, it doesn’t. The prices keep going up, and my pay just doesn’t keep pace. So, I had to get creative. A static caravan was the best I could do. It’s not much, but it’s what I can afford.

Living in a caravan… well, it’s not ideal, let’s just say that. It gets cold in the winter, and there’s not a lot of space. I’ve had to get used to some pretty basic living conditions—like using a tiny shower and cooking in a kitchen that’s barely bigger than a cupboard. I’m grateful to have a roof over my head, don’t get me wrong, but this isn’t what I imagined for myself.

It’s hard not to feel a bit embarrassed, to be honest. When people ask where I live, I usually just say “out of town” and leave it at that. It’s not like I’m ashamed of working hard and doing my best, but there’s a stigma, isn’t there? People hear “caravan” and think you’re struggling—or worse, that you’re not trying hard enough. But that’s not the case. I’m working my arse off, but the reality is, it’s just too expensive to live here properly.

After a long shift at the hospital, all I want is to come home, put my feet up, and relax. But instead, I come back to this little space, where I’m constantly reminded of what I can’t afford. I try to stay positive, remind myself that at least I’ve got somewhere to stay, and that I’m saving money. But it’s not easy, especially when I see younger people, fresh out of university, somehow managing to rent places that I can’t even dream of affording.

I suppose I’ve just got to keep going, keep doing my job, and hope that something changes. Maybe one day, I’ll be able to afford a flat, or at least rent somewhere that doesn’t feel like I’m living in a temporary solution. But for now, this is my life—working for the NHS, living in a static caravan, and doing my best to make it work. It’s not where I thought I’d be at 40, but it’s where I am, and I’ve got to make the best of it.