Mr O’s story

“I call her my angel as just knowing that there is someone there to talk to has made such a difference. The support has been invaluable."

This is not a situation I ever saw myself getting into. I used to own a successful photography business and travelled the world taking pictures for holiday brochures. Following the breakdown of my relationship, I moved out of my home and into a hostel. I have Type Two Diabetes and have always been good at managing it and keeping myself healthy but during that time my health deteriorated. There was no fridge to store food and drink and nowhere to cook food, so my blood sugar levels went very low, and I didn’t have anything to eat. I went to see my GP and they suggested I meet with the Community Links Worker (CLW) within the practice to discuss the support they can offer.

I didn’t mind where I stayed, I just needed somewhere suitable that I could make my home. The CLW was amazing, she helped with my application and they found a house for me, she helped me get white goods and furniture, I even got a bed for my daughter so that she could stay with me. But on top of that, she encouraged me to look after myself and keep myself healthy so that I could get back on track.

I have always worked hard and during that challenging time, I found it very difficult not being able to work and being so vulnerable. But with the guidance of my CLW, I signed up to an agency and got a job as a cleaner. One day when I was cleaning one of the offices they were having problems with their computer systems. I offered to help and managed to fix it for them and from that they offered me a permanent job. I now travel throughout the UK and Ireland in a role I really enjoy and I can support myself and my daughter again.

I have two other children from a previous relationship who live in England. I have found it incredibly hard being away from them, especially since my youngest son has recently been diagnosed with autism. My CLW has put me in touch with autism support services and charities so that I can learn more about how to support my son and I have been working with a solicitor to get access to see them. My main goal now is to be a part of their lives going forward.

Looking back on it, it has been quite a journey so far. I didn’t expect to end up in the situation I was in but with the support and guidance from the Community Link Worker programme, I have a safe, warm home, somewhere my daughter can come to stay with me, my health is back on track and I have a job I really enjoy. I call her my angel as just knowing that there is someone there to talk to has made such a difference. The support really has been invaluable.

Mr O’s story is part of the latest Humans of Scotland publication – Community Links Worker Edition. The book is available to read here.

Read all Humans of Scotland stories here.

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