Damani’s story
Damani didn’t realise that doing a few extra hours to help out would mean her benefits were stopped and she wouldn’t be able to afford the rent…
Damani is a single mum to two young daughters. She works part-time but her wages are low and it has been a struggle to make ends meet for some time. This has been even more challenging as the cost of essentials, such as food and utilities, continue to rise.
Damani recently did some additional hours to help out her colleagues and thinking the extra money would be useful. She didn’t realise this would have implications for her benefit payments and it led to her housing benefit being suspended. Damani could no longer make the rent payments and has since accrued rent arrears. Whilst she has applied for universal credit to help her get by, she is still waiting for her application to be processed.
Damani was referred to us for help as she couldn’t afford to buy the school uniforms she need for her daughters. She was hugely upset and stressed by this. It then also emerged that the family had been sharing one bed for some time, as Damani hadn’t had any spare money to be able to afford to purchase beds for her children.
Thanks to your support we have been able to help the family by not only providing the items of uniform needed by the children, but also by purchasing two new beds. The girls now have a bed of their own and Damani no longer has to spend time sleeping on the floor. Thank you.
"It’s fantastic to see all the ways the community comes together to improve the lives of people in need. From undertaking challenges, to dress-up days, quizzes, raffles and cake-bakes, to donating, setting up a regular gift, volunteering or spreading the word, it all helps to ensure people living in hardship are warm, safe and fed and have the basics in life that we all deserve."
Camile is a single parent doing everything she can on a daily basis to care for her young child on her own without a support network. Her washing machine broke some time ago, forcing her to travel to a launderette…
Read More
Beth and Carl are working parents doing everything they can to provide for their family, but like so many other families, they are struggling with the relentless rise in food and fuel costs. Their situation took a sudden turn for…
Read More
Zaina was referred to us for support by her Tenancy Support Worker as she was in desperate need of some household essentials after years of abuse, firstly from her husband and then by what she thought was a kind stranger……
Read More
Throughout their relationship, Lylia’s husband has suffered from several long-term mental health conditions, and over the years, his mental health declined significantly. He began to be physically and emotionally abusive towards Lylia, and after a long period of trauma and…
Read More
Lucas is retired and has stage 3 kidney disease. He agreed with his daughter and son-in-law that he would sell the house he had owned for many years and move in with them; this would reduce his costs, and they…
Read More
After a period of homelessness, Josh recently moved into sheltered accommodation. Having served in the British Army for more than 20 years, before later working in the prison service, a serious injury left him unable to work and facing significant…
Read More
Nathaniel was in his sixties when he suffered a stroke. While recovering in hospital, he was evicted from his rented home and lost many of his items. When Nathaniel was discharged, with no home to go back to, he went…
Read More
Ela is in her early twenties and has suddenly found herself stepping into the role of a parent for her younger sister. Ela’s sister was removed from their mother’s care after being subjected to abuse. Ela, who had been trying…
Read More
Helen has multiple physical ailments making it difficult for her to get around and is reliant on a powered wheelchair for daily use. We previously supported Helen with a wheelchair in 2017, however it now needs replacing as it is…
Read More
Alice left an abusive relationship to make a new start for herself and her young son. This was very challenging for her, as her ex-partner had been extremely controlling, including taking charge of all the finances. She left with no…
Read More