Gemma was living out of her car with her three young children aged seven, three and just six months old. Each night, the council told her at 5pm which hotel she’d be staying in. By 9am the next morning, she had to leave. 

No kitchen. No sofa. No warmth. During the day she sat in the car with her two youngest, trying to keep them warm and fed. Gemma had fled her home in the middle of the night, escaping domestic abuse with nothing but a single bag of essentials. She was terrified. Not just for herself but for her children.

She had no food, no warm clothes, no baby milk or nappies. She didn’t know what tomorrow would bring.

Charlotte from Home-Start Arun, Worthing & Adur called Gemma after receiving a referral from social services. “I felt desperate.” Gemma told Charlotte. “I didn’t think we’d get through it.” Charlotte quickly took action. She contacted partner agencies and explained the urgency. The local foodbank prepared ready-to-eat supplies.

The NCT Little Bundles team provided warm clothing for the children, and for Gemma, who hadn’t asked for essentials herself. Home-Start assembled an emergency pack with toiletries, blankets, nappies and baby milk.

Over the following weeks, Home-Start was at Gemma’s side. They helped her navigate council systems, liaised with social services and found places where the family could get a hot meal. Home-Start was also there to listen to Gemma and reassure her that  Home-Start would help to see her through the crisis.

When my daughter turned seven, Home-Start made sure she had birthday gifts and gave the family a moment of joy in amongst the chaos.  Gemma later told Charlotte: “I can’t thank you enough. It’s been the worst time of my life. I didn’t think we’d get through it. I know we’ve got a long way to go, but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

A week before Christmas, things started to happen for the family. Emergency accommodation was found. It was a flat with beds and a sofa, but nothing else. Home-Start provided bedding, crockery and saucepans, the basics to turn a shell into a home.

On Christmas morning, Gemma’s children woke up in their new home. Thanks to Home-Start (and everyone who supports the charity), there were presents under the tree, a hamper of toys and even gifts for Gemma. 

[Image credit istock: Lolostock]