"I honestly don't know where I would be without this support"

I'm writing about my experience since the pandemic.  Before my life had been a challenge but I'd fought for everything I had and was as happy as I could be.  I had a successful career, home and the best partner I could have asked for. We didn't have much but it was enough.

During the pandemic my partner suddenly passed, I ended up homeless and couldn't cope and ended up not being able to work. I also had an autism diagnosis which I'd fought for since I was in my 20's. I couldn't get access to any services as everything was shut or everyone was working from home. I ended up going through psychological services and psychiatry due to suffering with ptsd and severe mental health. Basically I was a mess, I stumbled around trying to get help and support but with services stretched, places closing down limited to no services in my area completely, or services only being for children or families I completely lost hope.

However, after getting in touch with North Lanarkshire Disabilty Forum, they put my in contact with Ross the Community Connector. I honestly wouldn't be where I am without him. I know it might sound silly or simple but someone who actually does what they say they will do, someone who checks in, remembers what's been discussed and I don't need to continually repeat or relive my experiences over and over again along with meeting with you on person has been amazing.  Being treated like a human being, actually being listened too and asked what I think might help is so refreshing.  

Ross has assisted me with so many things nobody else has been able to do, help me find and get access to organisations, has been supporting me with my housing situation and helps me with my confidence as well as having another human to speak to without being judged or devalued.

Although I don't have much, I'm not at least a little hopeful that I may again at some point in my life have somewhere to call a home and that I can have a stable base to try rebuild my life and return to employment as I know I still have things to offer.  

I honestly don't know where I would be without this support, door I could never open have been opened and after 4yrs I feel like I might be taking some steps forward.  It's amazing what a single person can do with the right mindset, mentality and who they are as a person. A lot of other workers and services could learn a lot from this approach. 

Finally, the fact he asks questions when at services is amazing in my opinion as I can see this additional information can help other people and not just me as it's so difficult for anyone to find information about services unless you either already know about them or are already linked in with them on social media, if not you'll never find them.