Things got off to a rocky start when I told my family I was gay. It felt scary coming out to them. I wasn’t sure how they’d feel about my girlfriend or whether they’d accept her.
Rosie was working on a farm at the time. She comes from an agricultural background and no one in her family had been to university – she had no confidence in her academic abilities. But then my dad, who’s head of a sixth form, said: ‘Let’s sit down and talk about where Rosie can apply, and I can help her with her personal statement.’ He really believes in everyone having a chance of an education and in helping people realise their potential.
Rosie was nervous, but my dad was brilliant. He helped her, and she’s now in her second year studying global health, and loving every minute of it.
What my dad did changed everything: for our relationship with my parents, as well as for Rosie’s future. Now we’re in London and my parents, who live in Wales, are regular visitors. We all get on brilliantly. And, of course, Dad always loves to ask Rosie how it’s going at uni.
Is there someone you’d like to say thank you to? Write to us at magazine@observer.co.uk
