Homeless and want to regain my gas certification
Donation protected
- Hello my name is Michael Cordes. In 2021 after the breakdown of a relationship I became homeless on the streets. I don't claim to be a saint I've made some mistakes and some bad decisions but none that make my experience the past few years deserved. The snowballing effect of a range of events outside my control led me to where I am now. In 2020 I was in a car accident and suffered a head injury putting on hold my career as a gas engineer during that time my gas certification expired (you have to sit exams to prove your competency every 5 years). After my relationship ended I had nowhere to go as I have no family and I found myself sleeping rough on the streets. During that time I suffered horrific levels of violence from the public and saw a side to the world I didn't think could exist. I eventually gained employment whilst sleeping on the streets and began to rebuild my life. Sadly it hasn't been plain sailing and it would seem that when employers found out about my situation they instantly had a suspicion of me and found it hard to believe I could have a skill set. I can't seem to escape the label of being that homeless guy no matter how hard I try. You can find my story here https://youtube.com/c/michaelcordes or If you Google Michael Cordes you can find my story in the media.
- With your support I want to resit my working on gas competency certification, purchase a flue gas analyser, register with gas safe, purchase my hand tools and continue the career I'd had since leaving school. I want to be able to give something back and I feel I can. During my time as a gas engineer I began to train service personnel leaving the military to obtain their gas qualifications. It would be great to do the same but with homeless people wanting a career and a chance of building something for themselves. With your help I will be able to do this, then I will be in a position to earn enough money to get myself a permanent home. To have some privacy for the first time in a long while and not have to share a space with anyone else. This may seem selfish but being on the streets took away being able to be upset without an audience, to not be disturbed just simple little things I can only get by having a dwelling to myself. Even if it's a van big enough for me to carry my tools in and live in, that would be a dream. A Transit sized van that's insulated, has power, basic cooking facilities, washing facilities and a bed. When I arrive at this place I will give back and continue my battle to make sure no other homeless people suffer what I suffered. Thank you.
Organizer
Michael Cordes
Organizer
England
