Looking for a fresh start away from the hustle and pressures of big city life, a now firmly established Fermanagh citizen, Andres Quintero Espinel, left London for Northern Ireland in the summer of 2015 – a decision that was to prove very important, with Andres keen to express his thanks today to the people of Fermanagh and beyond for helping him to turn his life around.

Originally brought over from London with his two dogs by a lorry driver, who dropped him at an abandoned place that had some basic facilities, Andres was legally allowed to live anywhere in the UK, and decided that a new start in the North could be just the ticket, especially as he was battling depression at the time.

His new start soon ran into difficulties, however, as his mental health deteriorated sharply, with what was effectively rough living in a shed impacting further on his mental health.

Contacting his GP back in London, Andres was then put in touch with the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) in Enniskillen – advice that was to prove vital in helping to turn his life around.

Looking back, Andres said that the CAB worker, Lisa, “was extremely understanding and concerned about what was going on and offered to help in every way she could – she even offered me to send me food, which I declined”.

Faced with difficulties in securing mental health support and other supports such as housing, given his lack of connection to the area and proof of status, Andres was facing fresh, significant difficulties with his hoped-for fresh start in life.

It’s here, however, that his life began to tread a happier trail, with the Enniskillen CAB contacting Andres with the news that a local woman with a devout Christian nature and her husband – Valerie Irvine and her husband, Davy Crosier – had heard of his plight, and were happy to offer him and his beloved dogs a home in Derrychara townland.

From this point on, Andres found a stability and sense of home that he needed, praising Valerie and Davy for going above and beyond to make sure that he was okay, with Andres singling out their Christian kindness.

Although he faced almost a full year of difficulties with both the Housing Executive and the Home Office over establishing his identity and rights – with Andres revealing that, incredibly, a simple computer error over the wrong name being typed in the wrong field was ultimately discovered – eventually, everything was sorted out, and his claims fully backdated.

Andres would subsequently move on from Derrychara, but he has never forgotten Valerie and Davy for their kindness and support.

Since then, Andres has lived in several parts and places around Fermanagh, and has faced good times and bad, facing ongoing struggles with his mental health – even eventually giving away his beloved dogs to be rehomed with people who could care for them better – but ultimately Andres is very thankful for the people he has met here.

As he says: “During all those years I have been lucky enough to have met the most amazing people, and that is the reason [why I want to thank them, and share my experiences]”.

Along with Valerie and Davy, Andres was also keen to thank, locally, Maria Thompson and Patricia Rogers, from First Housing; Joe Walsh, Karen Maguire, Alana, Emer, Kerry-Anne and Caroline from the Housing Executive; Dr. Joan Kelly, Joan Oboile, Geraldine, Sean Connolly and other key workers and psychiatric nurses at the South West Acute Hospital; everyone at Enniskillen Library, especially Senga; all the team from Lime Ward in Omagh; Dr. Foster, from Dr. Cathcart’s surgery; George Hesselton, his landlord from Brookeborough; Marion Bonar and Jimmy Gibson, the Donegal dog breeders and friends who did so much for him; all the team at New Horizons, including Caroline Ferguson, Rose Marie Couples, and Caroline Hughes; and finally, all the team at Santander Bank, and Gordons Chemist.

Looking back, Andres reflects that he’s faced some highs and lows since moving to Northern Ireland, and subsequently finding home and help in Fermanagh, but he’s also hopeful for the future, too, thanks to the decency and support he has experienced here.

As he says: “I continue to have input from the community mental health team, and I am reviewed on a regular basis. I have also been referred to New Horizons, where I am looking forward to attend.”

Moved by the support and kindness he has experienced here, Andres finished by expressing his thanks to the community and county by simply saying: “Thanks again to all the wonderful people of this special part of the world, and may God bless all my beautiful dogs!”