Lucy’s Story
Meet Lucy. She’s got two girls, Annie and Sarah. Sarah came as a bit of a shock to Lucy and her partner Ste, but Lucy loved being a mum and Ste was so supportive. He had worked as a bricklayer around the city for years, but work was hard to come by these days and there were more mouths to feed now. Being stuck at home was hard for him; he began to get restless, angry; lashing out at the kids for no reason, and at Lucy.
A few months ago Lucy and Ste split up; it’s been a bit of a struggle since then. At first, it seemed like she was getting by, but bit by bit things began to get on top of her.
It felt like a heavy cloud had
descended over her that she couldn’t shift; the bills the kids, the pain of losing Ste... dealing with life on her own became too much.
She had no money and the cupboards were bare. After another sleepless night, she decided she’d ask her GP for help.
Sat in the waiting room her heart was pounding; she felt so guilty, she felt like a failure.
When she saw her GP, she couldn’t seem to put the words together. Eventually she managed to get the story out; it wasn’t just one thing she needed help with, it was all of it.
As well as a prescription, her GP gave her a voucher for the local Foodbank.
She was surprised at first, weren’t Foodbanks for homeless people? But he had explained that lots of people find themselves in situations like hers and the local Foodbank gave them the help they needed.
As Lucy stepped into the Foodbank, it wasn’t at all like she’d imagined. Shirley came to chat to her as Pete went to collect the food. Shirley was the first person in a long time, who was actually interested in how she was doing. Not just about the kids or bills, or the house; she was actually interested in her. She didn’t mean to, but Lucy found herself spilling her whole story, about the messy break up and the struggles her daughters were facing, the credit card bills, and the overwhelming sense that this was all her fault.
Shirley gave Lucy the number of CAP, a free debt advice service. She said they might be able to stop those nasty letters coming through the post, and help her to get her finances in order.
The next week someone from CAP came to visit Lucy at home. It wasn’t easy but with their help Lucy was able to get her finances under control.
Shirley had given Lucy a leaflet for Sticky Fingers, a local parent and toddler group. Lucy made some new adult friends while her children played.
Sticky Fingers was running a parenting course through the Family Matters project, and as well as learning some great tips about parenting, Lucy also regained some confidence as a mum.
A few weeks passed and Lucy had moved into a new house. She had a clear out and took some unwanted possessions to the charity’s shop, where she saw Shirley again.
“I wanted to donate some items as a small expression of my thanks for all that you’ve done for me.” “In a few months time I’ll be debt free” said Lucy. “My girls and I are doing a lot better, and I now know that, with a bit of help, we’ll be able to cope.”
Imagine If Trust is a Liverpool based charity that works through a range of projects to address people’s complex and often multifaceted needs. Whilst Lucy’s Story is fictitious, it represents the struggles faced by many people when they’re hit by a crisis.
Sticky Fingers is a parent and toddler group that serves as a lifeline for many local parents. Sessions are lively with crafts, songs, lots of toys and of course much needed refreshments!
CAP offers free debt counselling and money management courses to help people get out of debt. The CAP approach helps lift the burden of debt and introduces simple repayment plans.
CentralLiverpool
www.streetwiseproject.com
STREETWISE Because everyone matters
Foodbank gives out food to local people who are going through short term crises. Local care professionals refer people to us through a voucher system. Clients receive 3 days of food.
Streetwise gives practical and emotional support to street sex workers in Liverpool city centre. Our team of volunteers operate from a mobile base every Friday and Saturday night.
Love Congo works through a number of partner agencies to help school children, ex-child soldiers, rape victims and local businesses in DR Congo.
Romance Academy helps young people gain a healthy understanding of sex and relationships through engaging and informative schools work.
Bab-Ftah helps women from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds build community. We hold regular cultural meals for over 100 women, aiming to form relationships and reduce isolation.
Family Matters delivers parenting courses to improve family life. The course is designed to equip parents in raising their children with a sense of structure and balance.
www.imagineiftrust.org info@imagineiftrust.org Charity No: 1147780