“Sue’s ex partner has just been released from prison for a serious assault on her, which her children witnessed. During this incident her partner chased her around the family home with a large bladed kitchen knife. As a result of this very violent incident almost every interior door in the house was damaged. As well as other damage to her home several of the doors have numerous stab marks right through to the other side.
“Sue and the children have had to remain living in a home where there are many bad memories and still evidence of domestic abuse.”
Sue is a vulnerable single parent who is working hard to care for her children with little family support.”
"Layla* is a 20 year old single parent of a young baby. Her project worker wrote:
“At the age of 4 Layla was placed into temporary care by social services; she was reunited with her mother after only a short time but the family’s social worker continued to keep an eye on Layla’s wellbeing. When she was 10 her level of care was brought into question again and the decision was made to put her into care on a permanent basis.
“All the physical and emotional upheaval that Layla had experienced since she was little had taken its toll on her mental health.”
At 13 she was diagnosed with depression and at 15 she felt that life was so unbearable she attempted suicide.
Layla left the system when she turned 16 and was homeless for several years before being awarded a tenancy. Earlier this year, Layla gave birth prematurely to her baby. When she returned to her home the joy she had been feeling quickly turned to dread. She was faced with a house that was riddled with damp and that constantly felt ice cold. She was distraught at the thought of raising her baby in this environment and lobbied the council to move her to a more appropriate property.
In December Layla received the keys to her new tenancy. Although she is delighted, she is struggling. The stress and worry of her baby being born premature and of moving house has made her very anxious and she is so concerned that her depression may return that she has started seeing her Community Psychiatric Nurse again.
“Layla would be delighted if she could make this house a stress free and loving family home but needs some help to make this possible.”
"Rakeb* is 18 years old. She lives in London and is originally from DR Congo. She is studying ESOL.
“I came to Britain in 2006 as a refugee. I have not seen my family since then and I have lost contact with them.
I started school in DR Congo but I didn’t finish school because I came to this country.
“I am studying ESOL because I need good English to get a good job in the future.”
I want to be a carer in the future with either old people or children.”
"Kelly* is 19 years old and lives with her 2 year old son. She is studying towards an NVQ in Childcare.
“I had my daughter at a young age but have always been determined to carry on with my education. I therefore studied at school up until the moment I went into labour and I continued home tutoring a week later.
“I am a normal student who turns into ‘mummy’ when I leave college.”
I hope to become a primary school teacher. I am a highly ambitious individual who enjoys nothing more than helping others.”