Transcription
Living in a friend’s SPARE ROOM, this was my opportunity to create a home I never IMAGINED i could afford. It sounded a FANTASTIC idea:, how does an ORDINARY JOE like Me get to BUILD his own home? Grand Designs is for people with MONEY, and I needed NO MONEY or building experience. But I’m a give it a go person. I was really CURIOUS how normal people got to do something AMAZING, I GAVE MYSELF to the whole process.
I unexpectedly became a father and I was able to provide a GREAT HOME FOR MY SON ETHAN. I felt GOOD to provide a HOME for me and my FAMILY. The building work was demanding, every weekend as I had a full time physical job.
On my first day on site I was struck by how sunny it was and there were CHILDREN around. It created a GREAT ATMOSPHERE a real COMMUNITY. A group of people ALL working towards ONE GOAL. I still find it INSPIRING that we all cooked together. To ME it felt like FUN, serious task but enjoyable. The children brought a feeling of LIGHTNESS. The energy form the children drew forth a different energy from me. I felt like I was PART OF SOMETHING. When my family came along I was READY.
I’ve made lifelong friendships, and feel I belong. I created a home with good neighbors and I even have my own garden which I really value. I met such a range of people from Beverley who runs her own dance company, to Peter the graphic designer and Prince the drumming gardener. Real bonds with strangers in a city that was supposed to be unfriendly.
The time management was hard but we have created a supportive village. I had to learn how to get on with a range of people with different values. It SURPRISED me how I had to grow to get on with people. It was a sacrifice to work seven days a week for almost two years but it was so WORTH IT.
I learnt self- discipline. For me, my son was born in this house. I created a home for him, with the support of others. I will ALWAYS CHERISH THE TIMES we had together in a home I was empowered to build. No better LEGACY than that.
(T9)
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