Supporting a Single mum and son
Donation protected
Hello
Would you like to support a family who have been going through hell over the last few months? By donating, you would have a very real direct impact on a family in crisis.
Because of situation of this woman and child, this fundraiser is not specific with some information to protect the identity of mum and child.
Fatima* and her son Josef* have fled domestic abuse here in the UK. She is under threat from her ex husband and community. Also, she has death threats from her country of origin so is not able to return to her home country. Therefore, she has no links with family and friends from her community in UK or home country so is very isolated.
Because of these circumstances, she has various legal cases pending - divorce, child contact arrangements and non-molestation order related to her ex's ongoing attempts to intimidate and threaten her.
Fatima* and her son have been living in a Gvt house in a city in England because of fleeing abuse. This is not the same as a women’s refuge which would be much better supported housing for women and children escaping violence.
If all that wasn’t enough stress, 6 weeks ago Fatima* and her son were moved out of her Safe house because emergency repairs. Since then they have been moved around hotels all over England until staying in their current hotel for the last few weeks. Living in a hotel, no cooking facilities, poor food, they are defined as homeless.
Unsurprisingly, Mum got COVID and was so serious had to be hospitalised. Her son stayed with me for 6 days as the hospital does not let children stay at this time and social services were unable to find foster care because he was COVID positive and she has no family or community.
Fortunately, mum has pulled through and returned to the hotel and her son is now with her. Because of self-isolating, they are not allowed to leave their one room - imagine that with a 3 year old and you are still unwell?.
She will hopefully return to her safe house in the next few weeks. This is a 4m sq bedsit with no outside space.
Because of her situation she has limited access to finances as is not entitled to normal benefits or cannot work.
Fatima* is a young woman but has a number of health problems - genetic and caused by abuse, violence and stress. She needs help to get on top of this that goes beyond what NHS can provide. She is dynamic and wants to change her situation so she is physically and mentally fit and strong for her son so they can “live their best life” despite the situation and better cope with all that they are dealing with.
There are a number of things that would make life better/easier that your donation could contribute to. Many of these can be found through free donations and websites which often needs extra costs for odd job/fixers and ‘man’ and van to collect and deliver etc. We are also in contact with local organisations supporting vulnerable families with items. Other things need to be purchased. Things we want to get include:
Double bed, mattress, bedding etc
Improved cooking facilities - currently only an old baby belling type cooker
additional family legal advice not covered by legal aid - family law
additional counselling or support worker
Oesteopath + acupuncture treatments
Swimming lessons for mum (son is in receipt of free swim lessons after lockdown)
Make-over of the safe house bedsit - paint, shelving etc
Children's activities: Attending Playgroups, zoo visits etc
Outdoorwear for mum and son
Bike for mum and son (learning how to ride)
If you are able to donate something however small, it would be a great help to this family and have a big impact. Also, it will help them to feel 'held' and that they do belong to a community of kind and caring people despite not having family and community.
Many thanks
Kate
ps beautiful and powerful artwork created by *Fatima
*not real names
Would you like to support a family who have been going through hell over the last few months? By donating, you would have a very real direct impact on a family in crisis.
Because of situation of this woman and child, this fundraiser is not specific with some information to protect the identity of mum and child.
Fatima* and her son Josef* have fled domestic abuse here in the UK. She is under threat from her ex husband and community. Also, she has death threats from her country of origin so is not able to return to her home country. Therefore, she has no links with family and friends from her community in UK or home country so is very isolated.
Because of these circumstances, she has various legal cases pending - divorce, child contact arrangements and non-molestation order related to her ex's ongoing attempts to intimidate and threaten her.
Fatima* and her son have been living in a Gvt house in a city in England because of fleeing abuse. This is not the same as a women’s refuge which would be much better supported housing for women and children escaping violence.
If all that wasn’t enough stress, 6 weeks ago Fatima* and her son were moved out of her Safe house because emergency repairs. Since then they have been moved around hotels all over England until staying in their current hotel for the last few weeks. Living in a hotel, no cooking facilities, poor food, they are defined as homeless.
Unsurprisingly, Mum got COVID and was so serious had to be hospitalised. Her son stayed with me for 6 days as the hospital does not let children stay at this time and social services were unable to find foster care because he was COVID positive and she has no family or community.
Fortunately, mum has pulled through and returned to the hotel and her son is now with her. Because of self-isolating, they are not allowed to leave their one room - imagine that with a 3 year old and you are still unwell?.
She will hopefully return to her safe house in the next few weeks. This is a 4m sq bedsit with no outside space.
Because of her situation she has limited access to finances as is not entitled to normal benefits or cannot work.
Fatima* is a young woman but has a number of health problems - genetic and caused by abuse, violence and stress. She needs help to get on top of this that goes beyond what NHS can provide. She is dynamic and wants to change her situation so she is physically and mentally fit and strong for her son so they can “live their best life” despite the situation and better cope with all that they are dealing with.
There are a number of things that would make life better/easier that your donation could contribute to. Many of these can be found through free donations and websites which often needs extra costs for odd job/fixers and ‘man’ and van to collect and deliver etc. We are also in contact with local organisations supporting vulnerable families with items. Other things need to be purchased. Things we want to get include:
Double bed, mattress, bedding etc
Improved cooking facilities - currently only an old baby belling type cooker
additional family legal advice not covered by legal aid - family law
additional counselling or support worker
Oesteopath + acupuncture treatments
Swimming lessons for mum (son is in receipt of free swim lessons after lockdown)
Make-over of the safe house bedsit - paint, shelving etc
Children's activities: Attending Playgroups, zoo visits etc
Outdoorwear for mum and son
Bike for mum and son (learning how to ride)
If you are able to donate something however small, it would be a great help to this family and have a big impact. Also, it will help them to feel 'held' and that they do belong to a community of kind and caring people despite not having family and community.
Many thanks
Kate
ps beautiful and powerful artwork created by *Fatima
*not real names
Organizer
Kate Smith
Organizer
