I loved my job as a production process engineer. At the time, I was working at an ethanol manufacturing company. It felt good to put into practice everything I’d learned as part of my chemical engineering degree.  

My wife and our three children mean everything to me, and my job meant I could provide for them. We weren’t rich by any means, and life wasn’t always easy, but we were content. The good times didn’t last though.  

After being employed there for two years, the company I was working for was “no longer economically viable in a challenging external environment”. Or, in other words, I no longer had a job.

While I looked for work, the financial situation began to feel heavier. Even though my income had stopped, our bills hadn’t.

Bits and pieces started piling up. The kids needed new beds, and our old creaking sofa became uncomfortable to sit on for any length of time. Then our iron packed in, so before each job interview, I had to go next door to borrow the neighbour’s. That was humiliating.  

I hesitated before reaching out to the Chemical Engineers Benevolent Fund. Part of me thought that we should just manage. Another part of me was worried that we’d take money that could go to another family in need. I put it off longer than I should have. I must’ve drafted a dozen half-finished emails before I finally took the plunge.  

I shouldn’t have been so worried. We had a really reassuring video call where I was able to talk about my financial problems.  The team there, Paul and Emma, listened without rushing me and never made me feel embarrassed.  I shared my concerns, and they reassured me that another chemical engineer’s family wouldn’t miss out on support. Together, we worked out a plan to get me back on track. By the end of the video call, I could feel some of that weight coming off my shoulders.

The charity helped us to cover urgent bills and to replace much-needed furniture and appliances. Being able to iron a shirt before an interview without having to beg or borrow has done wonders for my confidence. And I can’t begin to tell you how excited my daughters were when their new mattress arrived. I still watch the video of them gleefully bouncing on it whenever I have a rough day.

Asking for help was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do, but on reflection, I now feel pride. I’m proud that I’m a chemical engineer. I’m proud that we’re a profession that looks after each other through hard times. And I’m proud that I’m back on my feet again.

If you’re in the same position I was in, don’t do what I did. I put off asking for help for too long because I thought I should cope on my own. Looking back, I wish I had reached out sooner. Sending that first email was uncomfortable, but I’m so glad I did it.  

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