My partner, Leo, and I started volunteering at the Windsor Drop-in Centre in April 2010, when our son Sam was a volunteer there.  At first I helped out in the kitchen, but then I got more involved with support work, helping guests filling in application forms etc.

In the August of 2010 I also started volunteering to work nights in the Narrowgate Night Shelter.  I found I loved the work at the night shelter – to me it felt like I had discovered a whole new family, in fact it filled a void in my life.

Let me explain.  My parents divorced when I was 5 years old, and although my Father had custody of me, when he re-married his new wife did not want a ready made family, so I was ‘ given’ to his Mother, my grandma, to bring me up.  I loved my grandma and she loved me, but its just not the same as having a Mum and Dad.  Over the years, knowing I had been rejected by both parents left me with a vast gap in my life, an aching in my heart that no amount of relationships, marriage and children could fill.

As much as I love my own family, there was always something missing.  I could not get past this feeling of rejection no matter what I did.  I felt unwanted, unloved and angry inside, so much so I would take my anger out on those nearest to me and over the years built up a “brick wall” around me that no one could get through.  I thought by doing so it would stop the hurt, it didn’t of course, it just made it impossible for me to care about other people’s feelings.

After volunteering in the night shelter for a while I started filling in as temporary Team Leader, which now has become permanent.  I started going to the Windsor Drop-in Centre’s Bible Classes and my whole life changed.  Leo my partner came along to Church and Bible classes, and we both found Jesus together.

Now that we have let Jesus into our hearts and lives we both feel so much happier and content.

Personally I feel I can now put a whole chapter of misery, fear and helplessness behind me.  Finding the true meaning of Christianity has given me a new life, and I give praise to God everyday for bringing me here, and for giving me closure on my painful past.

I am now in full time employment with Manchester City Mission as a Narrowgate Night Shelter Team Leader, and it is more than a job to me, it is my vocation.  I know this is what God intended for me and I am so glad I can serve Him in this way.