Finances, family and confidence.
John self-referred using the Stockport Support Hub online form. John explained that his children had recently returned from being in care and that he needed help with heating and food. He was contacted by Stockport Support Hub who issued a foodbank voucher, made an application for a fuel voucher and made an urgent referral to Your Support.
John told us ‘When my partner left, we were in dire straits, our income halved. I couldn’t see how we could survive. I had to give up my job to look after my kids and it was isolating being a lone parent’.
Within a week John met his Key Worker from Your Support whilst his children were at school. John had already been proactive in addressing his family’s finances and had applied for all relevant benefits. Your Support helped John address his immediate needs, he was in debt and did not have any kitchen appliances, as these had belonged to his ex-wife.
A referral was made to Stockport Debt Advice and his Key Worker supported John to contact his energy supplier and showed helped him to set up an online account so he could manage his bills more effectively. Further work was completed to inform Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax departments that the children were back home with him.
John had been through a very difficult time, his Key Worker signposted him to Open Door so if he ever found himself in crisis, he would know where to turn. He had previously drunk alcohol to excess but had been abstinent for over 9 months. His Keyworker encouraged him to continue to attend AA and to ensure his own needs were met, as well as those of his children.
John told us ‘My Key Worker helped me to identify what my goals were and how to achieve them, we talked a lot about what my priorities were. At first, I couldn’t deal with things on my own - I had too much going on, so my Key Worker, with my permission, contacted people on my behalf. My Key Worker was a good motivator, he helped me do things for myself, so that I understand how to do it (myself) next time… he made me realise I was resilient and gave me inspiration’.
John only required help from Your Support for a couple of months. We provided emotional and practical help to ensure his finances were sorted and stable so he could buy a washing machine and meet the physical needs of his children. John was then able to focus on applying for a Special Guardianship order for his children and worked with the children’s Social Worker and Mosaic to ensure the children’s emotional needs were met.
Now things are stable, John has been encouraged to connect with his community and he is looking forward to working with Community Support. John now has ‘self-care days” where he meets a friend and goes for a walk.
John says ‘ My Key Worker supported me to see that I had become isolated and that this had knocked my confidence. I had to push myself and I have started a walking group and am joining a music group in September.
When asked what he would say to people thinking of contacting the Stockport Support Hub in the future, John said, ‘I’ve already told people to contact you! Your Support is brilliant as lots of people don’t know where to turn. I tell people that you are connected - you have great networks with other organisations, so even if you can’t help with something, you’ll put people in touch with someone who can. Your Support can help with bills, housing, food which is so important at the moment when people are struggling like never before’.