An accident left Grace disabled and unable to work. When she became pregnant, the isolation got worse to the point of not leaving the house. She felt huge anxiety, pressure and fear but a referral to Home-Start changed everything thanks to her Home-Start Family Worker Natasha. Grace went on to attending groups and making mum friends. Here's her story.

“I loved my job as a district nurse until an accident left me disabled and unable to work. The pain is constant. Sometimes it burns. Sometimes it feels like electric shocks. It affects what I can do, where I can go, and how long I can stand or sit. Over time, my world became much smaller.

I stopped seeing friends because I could never predict how I would feel. Most days I stayed at home unless I had a medical appointment. That kind of isolation wears you down, and I went through long periods of depression.

When I became pregnant, I didn’t tell my family. My older son had been born early after a traumatic pregnancy, and I was terrified it would happen again. I carried that anxiety on my own and had no one to talk to.

By the time Malik arrived, I was already overwhelmed. Suddenly I was caring for a baby on my own, living with chronic pain and barely sleeping. I had already been isolated because of my health, and then I was isolated with a baby too. It all became too much.

I felt huge anxiety, pressure and fear. One of my biggest worries was Malik’s development. I was scared he wasn’t seeing or interacting with enough people. Professionals tell you to get out every day, talk to your baby, and let them experience the world. But when you are in pain and alone, you can’t always do that.

Some days we didn’t go out at all. On other days, my migraines were so bad I could hardly bear the sound of my own voice, so I spoke very little. Then my mind would spiral. I started catastrophising and feeling I was failing him. I worried he wasn’t getting the interaction he needed to develop, and those thoughts fed my anxiety and depression.

I was referred to Home-Start during my pregnancy, and having someone to talk to then meant everything. I had a family worker, Natasha, and for the first time I felt truly listened to. She didn’t just hear me, she understood what I needed.

She supported me through the anxiety and the fear of giving birth, and once Malik arrived, she was simply there. While I was waiting to be matched with a volunteer, she visited me. Sometimes the help was practical, like making a cup of tea or helping with small things. But it was emotional support too. I wasn’t alone anymore.

That made a huge difference. Natasha helped me find ways around the things I physically couldn’t do. Together we worked out how I could still support Malik’s development at home and outside it. Home-Start also helped widen our world. With their support, I was able to get a childminder. Without that help, it wouldn’t have happened. Even a few hours of respite are life-changing when you are constantly ‘on’ as a single parent. It also means Malik gets time with other people.

Home-Start also helped me leave the house. At first, Natasha came with me to groups because I was so anxious. But I knew I needed to get out. I felt that if I stayed at home with my baby all the time, I would become really unwell. Within weeks I was going to stay-and-play sessions, coffee mornings and outings. I started seeing familiar faces and talking to other mums. Being around people who understand is incredibly powerful.

Now I go to workshops where we make things like soaps and bath bombs. It sounds simple, but it means a lot. You do something creative, you laugh, and you get a break from your worries. You also connect with other mums going through similar things. For a few hours, you feel lighter.

Before Home-Start, I didn’t have a support system. I was barely coping. Honestly, I dread to think what life would look like without that support. I don’t know how I would have managed, and I don’t think I would be where I am now mentally or emotionally.

I still live with pain, and I still have anxious days. But now I have people around me. I have support. I have moments of joy. And I can see the difference in myself and in Malik.

Isolation is not a small thing. It is not just feeling a bit lonely. It can affect your mental health, your confidence, your parenting and your child’s development. I’ve lived it, and I think it’s so important that people understand how serious it is.”