My name’s Tom. I’m 42. I’m from a suburb of Manchester. For the last 10 years I’ve been working construction, for a company called Renaker Build. Just a regular guy in a crew — residential projects, high-rises, concrete, brick… everything. If I’m honest — I’ve lost count of how many buildings I’ve worked on. Sometimes I’m driving through the city, pass old sites — and it hits me. Like when I go through Crown Street and see Elizabeth Tower… I always remember those days. My wife was pregnant back then. We were waiting for our son. Now he’s already going to school 😅 Time doesn’t slow down… I’ve never been ashamed of work. Always worked hard, earned my money the right way. But your body… it doesn’t last forever. About a week ago my back just went. Right there on site. At first I thought it would pass. But it didn’t. Went to the doctor. Scans showed two herniated discs. He looked at me and said straight: — “I can’t clear you for this kind of work.” And that was it. No clearance — no job. No job — no income. My wife said straight away: — “Don’t even think about working illegally. Your health matters more.” We had some savings. She was working. We thought we’d manage somehow. But three days later… she tells me: — “I’m pregnant.” About 6 weeks. And that’s when it really hit me. I was happy. Honestly. But inside — fear. Not for me. For them. I sat down and started counting. Rent went up £165. Tutors for my son. Food. A baby on the way. And I realised — we had maybe 2–3 months. After that… nothing. “Just get another job” — easy to say. But where? Construction — can’t. No qualifications. At 42 go work at McDonald’s? Nah. Thought about Uber. And then life finished me off. The van died. Clutch and gearbox gone. Repair — £2,900. I just sat there staring at the wall. First time in my life I felt completely powerless. That evening I was scrolling job listings. Nothing. Then a thought hit me: “What if I ask ChatGPT?” I’d asked it befor
