Phil says: “When I first came to the classes at my local centre, it was because I’d been recommended by the Jobcentre. At the time I was unemployed and on benefits because of my type 1 diabetes. I used to drive trucks and vans transporting heavy goods but due to my diabetes, I had to give that up.
“To be honest I struggled with it for years, not telling anyone about it. It cost me a couple of relationships and my marriage. I was officially diagnosed in 1990 but I think it’d been affecting me for a couple of years before that. I’d leave the house and by the time I got to the end of the road I was already ravenous. It was horrible.”
Before he started learning digital skills, Phil had been out of work for years. He says: “I had just given up to be honest. I think coming to the centre gave me the kick up the backside that I needed. I had low self-esteem and low confidence, but since coming here, I guess you could say I’ve got too much confidence now! Nothing fazes me, nothing at all.”