Our Stories:
Meet Paul

“I came to DIAL through a neighbour. I’d been having medical issues. I’ve had spinal fusion. I’ve had four different operations. So my back, from the coccyx bone to the nape of my neck is steel rods and screws and plates. I was a test and validation engineer. I’d been with a company for 14, 15 years and whilst I was off on sick, I had some trouble with them and a big envelope came with my P45 in it. I was sacked while I was dismissed. I had nowhere to turn. Nowhere whatsoever to turn. So I went down to DIAL and they got me a charity solicitor from Sheffield and it went to tribunal. We won the case, won everything, and there were no fees or anything. 

At the time I was sat at home, and I can’t do without having something to do. I’ve worked nonstop, never been unemployed and as they say, the devil makes work for idle hands. I had no privacy whatsoever. Because I’ve got a commode in my front room and I’ve got the bed near the patio door. When my wife left in the morning to go to work, I was just sat there looking out the window and there was nobody there. It was soul destroying. It was absolutely soul destroying. 

I got further and further down the line of depression and I thought, what am I gonna do? It was no good. I just felt like ending it. I rang Kath and she said if you’ve nothing to do, why don’t you answer the phone. So I got to DIAL and I sat at the desk answering the telephone and I thought well, that’s the help I can give. It’s been a godsend. DIAL as a charity, the amount of people that they’ve helped in the past and ever since they’ve been going, it’s unbelievable. And the rest now is basically history, because when the last chairman died nobody wanted to do the job. Kath asked if I’d fancy doing it and I said alright. And that’s it!” 

DIAL Leeds is a disabled people’s user-led organisation. They offer a variety of services and support to adults with a range of disabilities and additional needs in Leeds. They’ve received a number of grants from Leeds Community Foundation, including for a mental health peer support empowerment project. 

If you want to play your part in supporting brilliant local Community Organisations like DIAL Leeds, learn how you can support us, or reach out at info@leedscf.org.uk.