I devoted life to caring for loved ones and am proud to be helping others

Not being able to master the English language, I was confused and didn’t know where to turn for help.

With three teenage children, I was caring full-time for my wife, who had been diagnosed with depression.

My experience of being a first time carer was a horrible one, especially as my children were still young and at school.

They didn’t have clue of the situation I was in.

I was just so lost and didn’t know where to go. I didn’t know of any organisations that could help as I had never come across someone with mental illness before.

After four years of dealing with my wife’s illness, I realised the satisfaction I got from helping someone, especially some one I cared about.I just wanted to keep doing it, to help someone who needed my help.

I contacted Barking and Dagenham Carers, and it’s there that I was introduced to a new world of people just like myself.

I was determined to make even the little difference that I could make.

I was a voluntary bus driver for Barking and Dagenham Carers for nearly two years.

Through my volunteering I was noticed by the Barking and Dagenham Crossroads charity that provides care for carers themselves.

After three years, I am still currently employed by the organisation and I work with disabled children aged between six and 18.

I am also a caretaker at Sydney Russell School – I have to divide my working hours between the two jobs but I still manage to work Monday evenings and Saturday’s for Crossroads.

I have been a resident in Barking and Dagenham for over 12 years and have seen the community gradually change for the better.

It has become much safer and a better place to live. There are new schools, new libraries, new housing and even new leisure centres.

I am a proud resident of Barking and Dagenham and am happy to give something back in return and will keep doing so for as long as I can.