A helping hand back to normality

I have always been a library member. Happy childhood memories of a quiet space and beautiful safe stories i could disappear into away from my chaotic childhood. No wonder after the isolation of the covid period i ran back to my safe space, in adulthood.

I live alone, quite happily as it happens as i had a rich group of friends to socialise with. Covid put paid to that as did losing my job. When unlock was over my friends went on with their work lives and my days were emptier, i found i was less self assured and less confident.

I decided sitting at home was weakening me even further so off to Maidstone library i went, at least to job search with the sound of others around.

I walked in there shaking and to be honest with tears in my eyes. I was welcomed.... from behind the masks.

As i went daily the staff there, in the main, have been a great support to me in more ways that they will ever know. They were councillors, confidence builders and suppliers of haven for this shaken up female.

As things have opened up i still go to the library 3-4 times a week to use the study space and to continue to look for work. It's not the quiet haven of my childhood but still a haven. There are opportunities opening up for me next year but i will never forget the support and help back to being a fuller more confident human being they helped me be this year.