Ladders!

William Armour

Back in 1995 the Job Centre in Barrhead put me onto a course on job seeking and then I chanced a visit to the Salvation Army who took me on. It is amazing to realise that was 13 years ago! I worked in the back shop stripping down old furniture and putting it out for sale and then I took a course on restoring old furniture.

I gained a certificate in lifting and laying when working in the shop and then I started working in the van with Russell, the driver and Colin, the volunteer. We went out most mornings to collect donations of furniture and on the other days delivered furniture that had been brought into the shop. It was my job to find the addresses on the map.

One day, a couple of years ago, I was working in the Salvation Army hall and the Manageress asked me to put up the ladder to the loft as there were things to be put away up there. I went and fetched the ladder from the hall and propped it up at the loft door which was in the ceiling above my head. I was supposed to wait for somebody to hold the ladder while I went up but I decided just to go ahead myself. Big mistake - I was 3 steps up when disaster struck! The ladder fell on top of me trapping me underneath and damaging my knee. I landed heavily on my back and couldn't move. Somebody had heard the crash and came running to help. They took away the ladder but wouldn't move me until the ambulance came in case I had an injury that could have been made worse. I lay there for I don't know how long until the ambulance arrived.

The ambulance men came in and checked me over, took my pulse and blood pressure and then the four of them put me gently on a stretcher and carried me out to the ambulance. I was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley where they checked me over thoroughly for any breakages or internal damage. Meanwhile, the Major at the Salvation Army hall had phoned my mother to let her know what had happened and where I was. Major Howie, recently retired, was very popular particularly because he was a very good baker ? he would make scones for sale in the coffee shop and delicious pancakes, too!

My brother drove my mother to the hospital to collect me and take me home. I had damaged my knee and they put my leg in plaster to keep it still even although it hadn't been broken. I had the plaster on for two or three weeks and was very glad when it eventually came off. It was difficult to get about and even to take a shower while the plaster was on.

As a result of the accident, I moved onto working as a bus escort assisting vulnerable and disabled persons on and off the bus and attending to their safety while they are being transported to and from the Salvation Army Lunch Club. I also assist with the route planning and with setting out and coning off the designated bus areas in the car park.

The main part of my job for the Salvation Army is to work at the café as a Catering Assistant. I prepare food, take orders, handle cash and serve the customers. I got my Food Hygiene Certificate there.

Finally, I help set up the halls for funerals and Sunday services.

The Salvation Army does work for homeless people, providing them with furniture and toys for children at Christmas time. They are given a list by social workers and the toys are donated by the pubic. The people at the Salvation Army are all very nice. I like working with them and what I'd really like is to work for them full time and be paid.