Joseph
Joseph
You want to know a bit about me? Let me show you my photo albums I have hundreds! Perhaps it's best if I just show you the ones from here?
This one? That's where I used to live – it has bad memories and I only keep it because it reminds me to be strong. The flat was lovely, I had a veranda and could walk to work and everything, but the kids.... I thought they were my friends to start off with, they always came shopping with me, and I let them watch my telly, but then they started doing bad things; little things in the beginning, I didn't like it, and told them so, then one of the bigger ones hit me and told me to shut up. Life became terrible, my girlfriend Gemma, had to stop coming round because they wanted us to do private things and be filmed on the phones. In the end my enabler at work made me tell him what was wrong. The police came and told me I was a victim of mate crime. For a while I had to go and live in a hostel this is the picture it was ok but not my cup of tea, and now I live here and it's lovely!
This is where I work and my mates. It's called a supported work project: we pack cosmetics that get sold to the £2 shop – I can always get lovely presents for Gemma – here's her picture. We're saving up to get married. Her dad says we need to have £1000 in the bank before we can get engaged. We've got £175 so far.
Do you like flowers? This picture here is of a project I take part in at the hobby club at work, it's all about well-being and balance. The local community police officer helped me get involved here with Ricky he's my community nurse. I am going to talk at an advocacy meeting about making sure you stay safe and don't get sucked in with bad lads like I did! Last month I went with Ricky and the Police Officer to speak to some big wigs at the police station about hate and mate crime.
Oh this one is embarrassing! It's us on a jolly boys outing to the coast! I belong to the gateway club, and the Legion. I used to go there with my granddad but he's long gone now, but everyone makes me very welcome, and when they have functions I can earn extra money as a pot man (all helps with the engagement fund).
This is me and Gemma looking at engagement rings! Think she wants a bit of bling! She doesn't stay overnight yet, but we manage to get time alone! But that's private and I'm not talking about it anymore!
This is my mum's house she lives in Western – these are pictures of the bus stops I need to use to get to see her. I go on the first Sunday of every month that means we both have some personal space. Dad died when I was 11 there are photos of him in another album. If you've got time I'll fetch them .....