I hope you are all doing well! Things are much better for me now and my parents are really happy that I am more independent, and my brother, my sister and I get along much better.
I have been volunteering on the reception desk at my YMCA three times a week. I do all sorts from answering the phones, signing people into the gym and talking to clients. I used to find talking on the phone really scary, but since volunteering, I find it so much easier, I actually quite enjoy it. Being there has really helped my confidence.
Since I’ve enjoyed volunteering so much, I feel like I am ready to look for work. I had some counselling through the Job Centre for work-related skills; the counsellor helped me identify the reasons I didn’t have the motivation to work before. Now I’m looking for vacancies in the local area and want to try retail. I think dealing with people face-to-face will really help me. If I can speak on the phone with no problems now, then imagine what I could do next.
I’ve also learnt how to play the violin at the local college and loved the lessons. We put spots on the neck of the violin so I’d know where to put my fingers – it was pretty hard to learn but I found it so rewarding. My fingers felt weird after the first few days, but it gets better. I watch online tutorial videos now so I can keep practising.
I also met a really great guy and we have been together for over eight months. It was really funny actually, because when we first met we hung out at my YMCA and then my mum came over. She usually pops in every now and then with some shopping and to catch up, so she ended up meeting him for the first time on the same day that I did. How embarrassing! We had a cup of tea together and when she left I said sorry to him, but he said it was absolutely fine. All of my family love him. He lives about an hour away from me but he goes to the local college so we see each other often. He is caring and supportive and makes me really happy.
Anyway, I think that is it from me. Things have gotten so much better since I last wrote to you. I have a lot more confidence now just to go out and see people.
Thank you so much again for reading my updates and sending me comments, they really help me. Hopefully the next time I speak to you I’ll have a new job, fingers crossed!
Dannielle x