DisillusionedScot

Guys, does anyone have a room they could let me have for a while? I've been told I need to leave this place I'm in(I'm not playing the role she wants me to play basically). I need to get to Dandenong campus one day per week (Thursdays). I'm in Pakenham at the moment. I've got no money for a bond and only got my Centrelink payments which are conditional on me attending TAFE. Can *anyone* help? I need somewhere clean and safe even if it's just for the next 8 weeks. I don't want to be dramatic but I'm desperate. I'm facing living on the streets *again*. :-( Thanks so much Alan

Guys, does anyone have a room they could let me have for a while? I've been told I need to leave this place (I'm not playing the role she wants me to play basically). I need to get to Dandenong campus one day per week (Thursdays). I've got no money for a bond and only got my Centrelink payments which are conditional on me attending TAFE. Can *anyone* help? I need somewhere clean and safe even if it's just for the next 8 weeks. I don't want to be dramatic but I'm desperate. I'm facing living on the streets *again*. :-( Thanks so much Alan

Hi guys, I'm kinds 'hiding' in a small back room trying to keep out of the owner's way. I've got TAFE tomorrow which will be a bit of a relief just to get out of here. I really don't know how I'm holding on here. most nights I just think about walking out, but to where and to what? Every time I show my face I get criticised. Last night I got told off for 'not telling her what a good person she is!' Seriously. I'm tired, really, really tired. I miss Max so much but I'm trapped here. :-(

Ok, so, firstly, apologies to everyone for not posting earlier (I have fairly limited access to the 'net here). I'm still in Pakenham outside of Melbourne and there have been some positives to report, and some perhaps not quite so positives. On the positive side I've got my Centrelink payments sorted and I volunteered to attend an employment consultant, and through them obtained funding to do a Cert IV in Training and Assessment which I started today! Yep, a student again after all these years. It's only one day per week for 11 weeks. The employment agency seemed hopeful I could find something once I get the Cert IV. Other things: I'm still in Pakenham at the same place, but, I'm really not over the loss of Max, really not. I'm alone here during the day and there's no chance of having another dog whilst I'm at this address. In addition to the rent I pay I'm now, well, I'm now effectively prostituting myself with the owner (a she) who has her own ideas as to what counts as rent. It's horrible, really horrible, but what choice do I have? I did volunteer with a dog rescue service and was walking their dogs once a week with them but the owner of this house says I can't do that. She doesn't want me 'getting ideas about having another dog'. It's a miserable situation but there's no real solution to this in the foreseeable future. Anyway, that's me, that's where I'm at. A huge thanks to everyone for your support and kind words. Alan cx

Hi John, apologies for not replying sooner, my access to the internet isn't so good here. I've just started (today) the Cert IV TAE to see if that will help. I was told today that to teach in a TAFE I'd need to do the Diploma though which was a bit of a disappointment but I will continue with the course. I'd *love* to get into a training role as I have years of group work experience, personal development workshop experience and teaching of basic I.T. I'm a certified marker for the International Computer Driving License which is a basic I.T. qualification. I'm going to do my best to network with the lecturers as much as possible. Today was a major step for me getting back into a learning environment and I will keep you up to date with what happens. I'll put in a more general reply below this posting so you can see where I'm at in terms of my day to day life. Many thanks for your words of encouragement, really mean a lot to me. Much appreciated. Alan

Hi guys, I'm ok (for the most part). I'm living in a house-share outside Melbourne. I got CentreLink sorted but finding a job seems like an impossible task. The isolation is terrible and I miss Max so much. I can't help but feel that I let him down, being without him hurts so much. :-(

Hi Paul, yeah, that sounds interesting. Not really sure what I could do though. Let me have a think for a day or so and get back to you. Appreciated. Alan

Will do :-)

Update: Hi guys, it's been some time since I had access to a computer. So here we go: I managed to get a job with the WA Department of Corrections and found a house-share in Maida Vale for myself and Max. All was going well until 8 weeks into the training when at the beginning of one section I had a small heart attack. Couldn't complete the training. A week later a GP confirmed I needed more tests, the DCS confirmed I was being dismissed because I couldn't complete the training and the owner of the house broke up with her husband and Max and me were (literally) thrown out on the streets. This all happened on the same day. Max and me then spent the next ten days sleeping in a borrowed car around Perth. Meanwhile I was still getting help from the DCS Employee Assistance Program (whilst they awaited official confirmation of my dismissal from HR). To try to get me help they took me to Joondalup Hospital where I spent the next three weeks in the psych ward being treated (badly) for severe depression. Max meanwhile was being looked after by another prison officer. After leaving Joondalup with nowhere to go the officer looking after Max took me in. Unfortunately all we had was a mattress on the floor of her basement down in Orelia. I got a referral to Rockingham Adult Mental Health who said that really, my only problem was social isolation and not having a job and as such could do nothing more to help. After about five weeks I had to move on - I couldn't stand the hordes of slaters, bugs, roaches and fleas. Two of my friends back in Scotland paid for three months rent for me in Secret Harbour which I really liked. It was a house share - Mother, Son and his girlfriend, their dog (company for Max) and no stress. One week after New Year Max died. He could no longer lie down. I had to take him on his final trip to the vets. My life has been destroyed. I cry every day and miss him so much. He was all I had. My rent money gone and WA full of bad memories I found another house share, but this time in Melbourne (Pakenham). I simply got on a plane and left. I'm still here, waiting on Centrelink to help. I've got nothing now, no job, no savings, no Max. I turned 48 last week and honestly, I'm scared. I'm scared of being homeless, a down and out. I guess I've given up though, just nothing left to look forward to now. Sorry guys. I wish this had been a happy ending. Sorry, but thanks to everyone who helped, who fed me and Max down in Mandurah. You're beautiful people. Alan

Tried Gumtree, even paid for an advert on it. Nothing yet though. Will try offering labour as well. Cheers. :-)

Yeah, it was a super kind offer, but HH has a large dog herself and a young child. I'd be terrified if anything happened between the dogs and her child got hurt, I couldn't forgive myself. And it's not fair having a large(ish) fella and his dog invading the privacy of a young family. I know I desperate, like mega desperate now, but I've got to think about other people who have lives as well. It was a nice offer, but not fair on HH. I've PMd HH and thanked her for the kind offer. :-)

Hi Melza, I'll definitely try those websites first thing in the morning, didn't know about them. Landlord is being really difficult. As soon as the estate agent told him my partner had left he stopped paying the gardener (even those it's in the lease), he stopped any repairs I asked for and so on. He then increased the rent by $30 a week. I wrote to him, really nice letter as well, and he basically said, '30 days notice, get out'. Basically he wants a family in for at least 12 months. I think house sitting might be my last lead. Yeah. Cheers for the info, appreciated. Alan cx

Hi there guys, this is *super urgent* I need a place (house share is fine) near to Bentley as possible for me and my dog Max. Got to be out of my current place on the 26th. Need a place for three months. Both of us are house trained and Max is an indoor dog but sleeps about 16 hours a day (he's 10 years old). If there is *anyone* out there that can help please let me know. Thanks Alan

Still looking guys. Anyone?

You're a genuine star HH :-)

Many thanks for the PM HH, very much appreciated. I really do want you to put your own family before me though. Incredible kindness. Taken aback. Alan & Max cx

Hi HappyHeart, it didn't work out. I was up for it, but FiFi has to take her family into consideration and I'm totally cool with that. Absolutely no worries there at all. Eh, how NOR are you HH? I don't want to inconvenience anyone as it's a big task taking in a male stranger and his dawg for three months. Alan

Hi there guys, I'm still looking for a place to stay (house share) in Perth reasonably close to Bentley for three months from the 26th of this month. It's myself and my dog Max (indoor dog). I can pay a little towards the room once I get paid and it's only for three months. We're both house trained :-) and Max sleeps about 16 hours a day. If anyone can help, please put your hand up as it's getting down to the wire. No place to stay means no job and I start training on the 30th! Tried Gumtree and everything I can think of. Thanks guys. Alan

Gosh, so much kindness. I am lost for words. I know the next few months will be hard work, really hard going in fact, but I have to do it for both my sake, and for Max. I promise I will let everyone know how I'm getting on, and although I'm nervous about the Kalgoorlie, I'm more nervous about the training, but I will give it my very best shot. Oh, and because it's a government job I get housing organised for me - they even said they'd organise a place with a garden for Max. Thank you everyone, thank you so much. Bacon sarnies never tasted go good (Cheers Stormy!) Love to everyone. Alan & Max cxc

Hi folks, just an update. I understand my last thread was closed for various reasons (luckily I didn't see the postings as I took Friday night off, so many thanks to the mods, appreciated) Anyway, the news: I've been offered a job. Yep, can't quite believe it myself. I've actually been offered a job with the WA Govt. Some extensive training in Perth required first and then a remote posting for two years, but it's a job. It's secure employment with career progression. It's not something I ever really saw myself doing, but I'm in. And I can't quite believe it :-) I still have to find a place to stay in Perth for three months and I'm talking to FiFi about that. I just want to say a huge thank you to all those who sent me best wishes, words of empathy and encouragement, and even food. I cannot tell you how good a bacon sandwich tastes after living off stale corn flakes for a week. Most of all, I want to say a mega thank you on behalf of my dog Max. He has food now, lots of food. And more than anything, and on his behalf, Thank You. Just got to make it all happen now. I'm not religious, but a thousand blessings on each and every one of you who stood up and helped me in the most desperate time of my life. Alan cxc

Hi JK, I did take stormy up on his unbelievably kind offer. One day i want to pay him and everyone else back ten fold for their kindness. I'm just trying to work out in my head what to say to FiFi. I'm nervous about being with other folk, I've spent the last twenty years with just me and my partner, I don't know how to be in a family in all seriousness.

Just to say folks, I've been in touch with FiFi and I'm just trying to find the words to say to work something out. I just want folk to know that I have been in touch with some incredibly kind folk on the forum and if I haven't replied personally it's just because today has been long and really tiring and I will reply personally to everyone. Thanks guys. :-)

hi, I've PMd you with an update ;-)

Hi, thanks for you comment, appreciated. I have tried Centrelink but to no avail I get nothing because I haven't been here long enough. There's a two year waiting period and I won't get anything until next January. Personally, I'd rather have a job and be able to live something of a decent life than be on benefits. As for my income, no, nothing at all. All my savings have gone on rent and bills. I've been paying for eveything out of my savings thinking i would get a job before things got to this stage, but it hasn't happened. I can't even afford to go into a homeless shelter - Kwinana wants $20 a night which I just don't have. I know what the solution to all this is, it's a job. I've known that all along, but if it really were that easy to get a job that would pay enough to even just pay rent, I wouldn't be spending time with Centrelink. I guess I should say my depression doesn't make it any easier to find or keep work. But it doesn't stop me trying. I've failed. I've failed at my relationship and I've failed at looking after Max. I've even failed at looking after myself. And I know there are folk out there who take the view that I should stand up for myself, give myself a shake and so on, and to an extent, those folk have a point, but it really isn't that easy. Had it not been for having tried everything I can think of I'd perhaps even be saying the same things myself. Th problem is, I have tried everything I can think of.

Eh, how could it be worse? I think I should clear a few points up just so there's no misunderstanding. My other half left me and took all our savings. I had three weeks with no money at all before she finally gave me some money back. I now have zero contact with her, don't even know where she's staying or even have a phone number for her. That was in February. I have tried for many, many jobs without success, as recently as yesterday I tried to get a job driving a bus only to be told they now only hire people with a HR license. My lease is up on the 26th July, I have nowhere to go and no money left to pay for a place to stay. I will not be separated from my dog. Centrelink: May - 1.5 hours in the Mandurah office in Tuckey St only to be told I was entitled to - nothing. not a cent. Today: Arrived at Centrelink at 11:20. Left Centrelink at 3:45. Result? Nothing. I have been told to apply for something called 'Special Benefits', but their opinion is I won't get it because it appears not to be payable to 176 Permanent Residents such as myself. There is also a processing time of 16 days. That's 16 days with no money and were it not for the extraordinary kindness of people on this forum that would be 16 days without food, or resorting to begging. Literally. So, being told to 'focus on what I do have', maybe you could tell me what that is because all I can see (other than the extreme kindness of the people here), is well, not much. I don't even have my health anymore. One last thing: homeless shelters: a) I can't go with Max and b) they charge here. It's $20 a night for the shelter in Kwinana. I don't have that. Of-course they can take it off your benefits..but I don't get benefits. Do you have any idea how many hours I've spent crying today. I've been in tears since 10am this morning. Having said all that, you've told me what you think I should do and I'm happy to try anything, so, maybe you could expand on what you've said and tell me what I should be focusing on and how to stop this 'never ending thread of misfortune'. I'm absolutely open to any reasonable suggestion.