Silva has fled domestic violence. Since moving she has felt much safer and has been able to get on with life but has been left with huge debts by her ex-partner. She was referred to ‘Crisis Fund for Struggling Families’ by a domestic violence survivors’ agency who wrote:
"“She owes money to the council for council tax and to her housing association for arrears. With the help of a credit union Silva is addressing these. Her daughter, Natasha, is currently sleeping on a mattress on the floor and keeping her clothes in a cardboard box.”
With the help of a credit union Silva is addressing these debts, however half of Silva’s wages, literally, goes on keeping up these payments. Silva has been in this situation for some time and is completely unable to save up to buy the furniture her daughter needs. When I visited the household last week Natasha was sitting on the floor of her bedroom with three friends with only a mattress and no curtains at the window. Silva works as a part-time cleaner at a school. She is not eligible for working tax credit because she works insufficient hours and she is not eligible for assistance from the social fund because she works part-time.
A grant of £250 was made for furniture for Silva’s daughter’s bedroom.
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