Believe in yourself and never give up, writes Sam Billingham

After leaving high school in 1996, I went on to further education, successfully passing Intermediate and Advanced Business Studies.

I had always dreamed of having my own office, with a telephone and pen and paper but I didn’t know what area I wanted to work in.

It was only when I was in my final year at college that I decided I wanted to become a legal secretary.

In 1999 I got my first job as a legal secretary and I absolutely loved it. I had my own office and worked alongside some amazing people.

In time I eventually found my dream job as an office manager at a small firm of solicitors.

I opened the office, locked the office, I did the banking, I answered the telephone calls, I met clients; I was in my element.

When I did lose my job, I also lost my identity. Yes I knew my name was Sam but I didn’t know who I was anymore.

There was no more jumping out of bed, straight into the shower and putting on my best suit.

There was no more thinking about what needed to be done in the office tomorrow or thinking, did I make sure this and this was done before I left the building.

There was no longer a sense of belonging.

I didn’t see life in the most amazing way any more, I had lost myself and my financial independence.

I didn’t like this feeling at all and even though I dedicated my time to volunteering within the community, whether it was being a speaker at an event, volunteering at the local Sure Start mother and toddler group or recruiting new cadets at the local boat show, I just didn’t have that sense of belonging.

I have applied for hundreds of jobs, sending off my CV and application letters. My heart always sank when I received the rejection letter.

All I wanted was someone to give me a chance. A chance to grow with them, a chance to show them I can be an asset and a chance to find myself again.

On October 14, 2019, I received a text saying, Hey Sam hope you’re okay – can you give me a call when you get chance – not urgent. It was from a friend, Deb Lawrence, one of the directors from Lawrence Cleaning Solutions.

I had applied for a few jobs and thought she was phoning me about that.

I went along to the new offices in Dudley and couldn’t believe my ears! Someone believed in me, someone wanted to give me a chance and someone offered me a job!

I am humbled, honoured and proud to be a member of the office team at Lawrence Cleaning Solutions in Dudley.

This month’s column is dedicated to those who might have lost themselves and feel they can’t see a way out.

Believe in yourself, the way others believe in you and whatever you do, don’t ever give up.