I was genuinely excited on Thursday, October 16, when I boarded a bus and unexpectedly met a lady I first knew during my short stint doing what we jokingly called “paid-to-gym” work—better known among immigrants as warehouse jobs. She had recently relocated from London to Cheshire East.
Paid-to-gym exercise: For many immigrants, warehouse work is often the first step toward stability after arrival. It’s what we humorously refer to as “any available job” — physically demanding 8- to 12-hour shifts filled with standing, lifting, and moving. It feels like a gym session, only this time, you get paid. It’s a far cry from the comfort of a digital reporting desk, but it pays the bills and often becomes a bridge to a better career.
The Nigerian lady, who is married, explained that the cost of living and unrelenting stress in London had become unbearable. Her husband eventually secured a Certificate of Sponsorship, and they both moved to Cheshire East for a fresh start.
In Nigeria, a goat-head pepper soup joint is where people unwind, connect, and share life updates. In the UK, for many immigrants, the warehouse serves a similar purpose — a networking hub where people meet, build relationships, and discover new opportunities.
Personally, I got my current job through a Zimbabwean colleague. Coincidentally, my very first warehouse job also came through another Zimbabwean who shared an Indeed link with me and five others. Out of all of us, I was the only one whose CV passed, leading to a successful face-to-face interview and immediate employment.
Before that breakthrough, I had faced emotional blackmail from someone who pretended to be helping us “stabilize” but was only interested in the financial benefits of sharing rent once we secured steady income.
Still, I’ve always believed in sharing opportunities. Just as I benefited from others, I also shared information about my organisation with friends — including the same lady I met that Thursday.
When she boarded Bus 84x around 7:00 p.m. and noticed me sitting toward the back, she left her colleagues at the front and walked up to me. Smiling, she asked, “Are you the one I met about three months ago at the warehouse?”
Before she could finish, I replied, “Yes — the warehouse lady from London.” She smiled warmly and said she had been looking for me to share some good news: she had just received a job offer from the same company I told her about.
I congratulated her and assured her that the job was far better than warehouse or health care assistant work.
Some of my old warehouse colleagues were jealous when I left the physically draining 6 a.m.–6 p.m. routine in mid-2024. They thought I had received special assistance beyond just getting a link. But this encounter vindicated me and reaffirmed a truth I’ve always held close:
“The best currency you can give people is information.”
By Bilesanmi Abayomi aka KOKO