Janet*, a mum who’s been supported by our Forward Steps service, talks about the impact of the help we offered her and her children last winter through the Barnardo’s poverty fund and explains how the cost-of-living is putting extra pressure on her.
Last winter, Janet’s tumble dryer broke, which meant she was struggling to keep her children’s clothes dry during the colder months.
“The heating element broke on my tumble dryer which meant it was taking longer for our clothes to dry. I had six kids at the time which meant it was a real struggle to keep all their uniforms clean,” Janet explains.
“Being able to access the poverty fund to purchase a new dryer made a big difference and really helped us.”
We also gave Janet new school uniforms for her children – so everyone now has a spare set for when the others are being washed – and replaced her children’s broken beds and old bedding with new ones to give the family a fresh start.
Coping with the cost-of-living at Christmas time
“Whenever Christmas comes around, I always try and start preparing as early as possible,” Janet says. “If I leave it to the last minute, I know I won’t be able to afford everything. My youngest kids are at the age where cost doesn’t really matter. But my three eldest are teenagers so they always want to have the latest stuff which can be difficult.
“My fifteen-year-old son asked me for a pair of trainers for his birthday. And my eldest asked me for a new tracksuit and trainers for his birthday coming up. Because they’re older, they understand more than the younger ones that I might not be able to afford all those things. But I told them I’d try.
“I think the government needs to provide more support for families. Even though help is out there, it isn’t easy to access. I haven’t had any financial help outside of Barnardo’s. So many people are struggling day-to-day, and I don’t think enough support is in place,” she says.
*Name has been changed to protect Janet’s identity.
“The support from Barnardo’s saved us for those few weeks… It really saved us.” - Ellie’s story
Ellie* is a single mum from Swindon who, along with her children, Daniel* (10) and Violet* (14), has received support from the Barnardo’s Swindon and Wiltshire Phoenix Project. This year, Ellie was able to buy food vouchers through our poverty fund to help her family cope with the cost-of-living.
Cost-of-living crisis: Where to get support if your family is struggling
We know that the cost-of-living crisis is making life harder and harder for families. So, if you’re struggling to afford the essentials, here is where you can get support.
Will you help us lift half a million children in the UK out of poverty?
It’s not fair that nearly one in three children in the UK live in poverty. That means cold homes, empty plates, and missed opportunities. And behind every statistic is a child missing out on the childhood they deserve. But it doesn’t have to be this way.