Lee, 31, Barclays Bank, Penarth

Because I don’t have a child or other issues that would make me a priority, I keep being pushed to the bottom of the list all the time.

I understand that, of course, but after being homeless for a while I started to believe that being jobless and living in a hostel in Cardiff was something that I wouldn’t be able to break free of. That’s when I decided to get an education and learn a trade. So I went to college in Barry and did a plumbing course there in the classroom.

The next step is to achieve an NVQ Level 2 and then a Level 3 on the job through completing a portfolio. In it are different jobs such as to fit a bathroom [or] fit a radiator, so at first I got to work with a plumber from St Fagans. I would do the work and he’d sign it off my list of tasks, but unfortunately he’s had to stop taking me round with him.

I still have my portfolio to complete and even though I have phoned many plumbers I still haven’t been able to find a new one to work with yet. Some that I asked said they couldn’t take me on because I couldn’t drive. So I’ve now learnt to drive and they still haven’t taken me on.

In the evenings when I go home and sit in my room I make costume jewellery. I use all kinds of pretty things including sandstone and opalite. I make necklaces, bracelets and kids’ hair bands. I don’t sell them on the street because you need a permit to do that and I don’t have one. It all started when I gave one as a gift to one of my lady friends. Then her friends at work liked it, so I made more.

All my Big Issue customers are really nice, as well as faithful. I don’t think I know where I’d be if it wasn’t for half the ladies and men who buy the magazine from me, but if someone came up to me saying I could be their apprentice for two days a week but they couldn’t pay me at the moment, I’d do it.

I’m willing to do anything to complete my plumbing qualifications. I’ve got so far with it and I’m not giving up.

Lee was talking to Jane Oriel