A year ago, I faced a major turning point in my life when I lost my job. For six years, I had worked in a warehouse, a job I had grown accustomed to and relied on for my livelihood. Before that, I had another warehouse job as an operator, so my experience in this field was extensive. However, my employment was through an agency, and the work was often inconsistent. Some weeks, I would only be given two days of work, which made it difficult to keep up with my bills and financial responsibilities.
The instability in my job coincided with a dispute I had with my landlord. The situation escalated to the point where I had to leave my house. To my shock, when I returned one day, I found that the landlord had taken all my belongings and thrown them out. Everything I owned was gone, and I was left with nothing. I contacted the police, hoping for some resolution, but there wasn’t much they could do in that situation. With no money and no place to live, I found myself suddenly homeless.
For about three months, I lived without a stable home. This was an entirely new experience for me, something I had never imagined I would go through. Before this, I had always managed to take care of myself. I had come to the UK from Poland in 2016, and until this point, I had never been in a position where I needed to ask for help. It was a humbling and difficult experience. During this time, I stayed with friends whenever they had space, but it was a temporary solution. When they couldn’t accommodate me, I had to find a small, shared room to stay in. It wasn’t ideal, but it was all I could afford at the time.
The situation was overwhelming. I had always been independent and self-sufficient, and suddenly, I found myself in a position where I had to rely on others and seek assistance from the council. Eventually, the council gave me a contact number, which led me to the place where I’m now staying.
Today, I’m in a much better situation. I’m living in a house that’s clean, well-maintained, and offers the stability I so desperately needed during those months of uncertainty. However, I’m not back at work yet. I’m currently on sick leave, which gives me some time to focus on my health and plan my next steps. But I know that I can’t remain out of work for long. I have a family in Poland that depends on me, including my 19-year-old son who has just finished high school. He needs financial support as he embarks on the next chapter of his life, and I want to be there for him.
I’m preparing to start looking for work again. I have a wide range of skills and experience from the many jobs I’ve done over the years. I’ve been working since I was 14, starting back when I was in high school in Poland. Hard work is something I’m familiar with, and I’m confident that I’ll be able to find a job that suits my skills.
This past year has been incredibly challenging, but it has also been a time of growth and reflection. I’ve learned a lot about resilience and the importance of having a support system. Even though I’ve been through a difficult time, I’m determined to rebuild my life, find stable employment, and continue supporting my family. I’m hopeful for the future and ready to take on whatever challenges come my way.
