Six

It helps to have a job coach who remains optimistic, although I sometimes wonder whether he has ever turned to his colleagues and said with a sigh: oh my god, I have no idea what to do anymore! Help! (No. I asked.)

From the moment we met, he made it clear he couldn’t guarantee anything – which was one of the reasons I felt comfortable enough to set off on this journey with him. Rather than telling me a reassuring story to win me over, he told me the truth.

We both want to cross the finish line – ideally, reach the point where I can return to paid work – but whether we get there depends on an unknown third party: a place that can offer the conditions I need to recover and grow.