Nigel's Story

As a boy I was brought up in children’s homes or by foster families from the age of 5 up to 18.  From the age of 18 until 2008 I spent my time going to and from prison for different car related convictions.

 

My mother was great but my dad was definitely not the affectionate kind of man.  As a result I turned my affections into a love for cars and have been very passionate about them from a young age. I am still just as passionate about cars in my adult years.

 

At the age of 17 I received a driving ban and am still disqualified but this will be ending soon (I am now in my thirties).  However this did not keep me from being behind the wheel.  

 

I persisted with enduring in my passion even though it led to many convictions as well as losing me two great ladies, the first of which I had the pleasure of raising two children with.  She was a fantastic mother. Only I messed up the relationship with my own stupidity.  Living my normal careless life, driving with no license or insurance, she had enough and decided to leave.  The second lady I met had three kids of her own.  Again through my constant stupidity she also left.

 

I was unemployed for 8 years during this period but lived off the benefits from selling stolen cars.  So as you can see things were not right, although at the time I didn’t see any problems with my life.  

 

I was very unaware and unprepared for what was to come next. In August 2008 I moved into the Friends First supported house in Hove. This has been the most significant time of my life.  There has been a complete change around in my thinking, attitude and desires for the future.  Not only have I learnt life skills which have included general maintenance, cooking, cleaning and literacy.  I am also learning trades at Friends First including plastering, plaster boarding, carpentry, plumbing and electrics.  Life is certainly now very different!

 

Last month I started working for a construction company and I am really enjoying being active and in employment. I also want to train as a personal fitness trainer. I am also starting to study towards getting my driving license after all those years of driving without a license.

 

Now I look forward more than ever with excitement to the future.  I am so thankful for my new love for life.  My big regret is wasting all that time in my youth and beyond when I could have spent it training myself for better and more honest things.  

 

I am thankful to Friends First for all the time and support they are providing as I have taken these new steps into my new life.