“I had to flee from an abusive relationship. I had put up with their fathers violence towards myself and it was having a real bad impact on the children so we left.
I had tried to find a place for us but it was no use. Over a period of 2 years I had signed up with various councils and was getting nowhere. For instance one council put me on their waiting list and then 7 months later decided that they could not offer me anything as I had no family ties with the area. I could not stay in the area that I originally came from as the children’s father would be able to get to us.
I spent months living with friends, sleeping on floors and settees. I had taken the children to my mum who looked after them for several months. I became really depressed, went on antidepressants and had a breakdown. It was affecting all of us. My mom gave up her job to look after my two small boys. I went back to my moms quite often to be with my children, but even this was hard as they were heartbroken when I left them, each time it was worse than the last time.
I always made sure that I got back to see them on time. If I didn’t they could have been taken back by their father and then I knew that they would end up in care. Social services were involved at one point and I didn’t want this to happen. I was really in despair and desperate to find somewhere for us all to live.
I had been in contact with the council 2 years ago. When I came back they had lost my file and I heard nothing. I wasn’t very hopeful when I went to the local Neighbourhood Office. The staff there were really helpful and listened to me. They put me in touch with St Basils Link. One month later and I am here in this nice flat.
The Link staff had asked me lots of questions but explained at each step what the questions were for. When they gave me the forms to bring to the office at the project, I was crying with happiness
It wasn’t what I expected. I didn’t think it would be this quick. The Link made it happen, made me filled with happiness. I arrived home screaming I had a property. I went the next day and viewed it. It looked like a real posh place, gated with security. My dad said that I was really lucky and that it was very nice.
I have been here a week today. Everything has changed. I have my children with me, we are safe and secure. They are fed, dressed and warm. My youngest boy has started to talk and smile again; they play fight together as boys do. My mom has gone back to work and my children have their grandparents living not too far away.
It’s been a long and painful road for us. But we are a family once more. I am getting on with being a mother. The staff here have helped me with advice and form filling for housing benefits, gas and electricity etc. I have got the details of doctors and dentists. My 2 year old goes to the nursery which is nearby on the same site and I signed up for the Lifeskills Programme. My eldest is being enrolled at the local school, he can’t wait, he keeps asking “Mommy when do I go to school?”
For myself I want to develop and be able to go to work. I have seen what it is like to have nothing or very little in terms of housing and no job or education. I don’t want this for me and my children. In September I will enrol at college to train to be an interpreter as I speak more than one language.
I really can’t believe that after all that has gone on it has only taken a month for me to get here.
