Donna’s Story
Struggling to afford essentials while living alone, Donna was facing mounting bills and broken appliances.
When Donna was referred to us, she was living alone and struggling to manage the rising cost of bills on a very limited income. With several long-term health conditions, most of her money was going towards keeping her gas and electric meters topped up, leaving very little for food or other essentials. The constant financial pressure was taking a toll on her mental health, and she was increasingly worried about how she would get through the winter.
During our first call, Donna explained that both her freezer and washing machine had broken. Without a working freezer, food was going to waste, and she had been washing her clothes in the sink. To ease the immediate pressure, we provided her with a supermarket voucher so she could buy groceries and eat properly while we worked together on longer-term support.
After reviewing her situation, we helped Donna identify additional financial support she may be entitled to, including help with her housing costs. We also arranged for replacement appliances to be delivered, making it easier for her to store food safely and manage everyday tasks at home. These changes have made a real difference to her comfort, health and peace of mind.
Donna is now feeling much more positive about the future. With regular check-ins in place and practical steps underway to strengthen her finances, she feels hopeful again and knows she is not facing these challenges alone.
“Things are starting to look up. People like you have been amazing at helping and supporting me, your support is making me feel much more hopeful for the future.”