* Hi, I’m Cathy. I’m a champion on the U-turn phase 3 work-readiness programme. My passion is communication and I’m part of the U-turn communication team. Every week I will be writing a blog post sharing my personal experience on this programme, to give you a window into the experience of being a champion on the U-turn programme.

I became homeless near the end of February 2020 due to unwise financial decisions and my company not doing well. I lent a lot of money to a friend who did not pay it back. I thought I was making a good investment, at the time, in a friend’s business.

Through 2020, I lived at my local municipality’s COVID-19 temporary shelter for the homeless, a night shelter and even the Psychiatric ward at the hospital.

“I applied for multiple jobs”

I applied for multiple jobs, sent business proposals without success, and even invented a mobile phone app while there. I share this with you so you know that just because someone is homeless, doesn’t mean they’re not looking for work. I searched and worked hard.

My life turned around when a social worker recommended that I apply to the U-turn work-readiness programme. 

It has been a year since I started working at the U-turn Charity shops. And just recently moved over to what I am passionate about………communications.

I’ve joined the communications team at U-turn, and every week I’ll be writing a “Day in the life of a Champion” blog, sharing the ups and downs of my journey, to give a real sense of what we work to overcome and the challenges we face as champions on the Phase 3 work-readiness programme.

I’ll share more of my journey next week – looking forward to speaking with you every week through my blog. And next time you visit the U-turn Head Office, you will meet me at reception.