Fernando, 35, arrived at the shelter three months ago and has already been working in the kitchen at Pret a Manger for four weeks. “I have the same timetable everyday,” he said. “It is nice because I can make more plans for the future. My favourite sandwiches to make are the ones I can do fast: egg and mustard and smoked salmon.”
This Spanish football fan is looking ahead to a very important date in June – the beginning of the |World Cup in Brazil. Fernando was bitten with the football bug aged 15 and has been an avid fan ever since. He supports Barcelona but also has a favourite English team, “When I was living in Spain I liked Liverpool,” he said. “But I didn’t know if Liverpool was in or outside London. I know now!”
Fernando spoke very little English when he arrived and is so happy to practise speaking with all the other guests and volunteers. But the highlight of his week is a call from his mother and the chance to talk with his young nephews Alejandro, 5 and Cayetano, 2.