“I felt invisible before I called” - Amy’s story

When Amy* first called Children First’s support line, she was at breaking point. Trapped in a damp flat with two young children, suffering from postnatal depression and £190 short every month, she felt invisible and hopeless.

Children First’s support line arranged immediate food and heating support so Amy’s children could stay warm and fed. They secured £1,500 from the Home Heating Fund and negotiated lower bills, cutting Amy’s broadband by £38 per month.

The team also secured £180 per month in child maintenance and connected Amy to housing, mental health and local family support services.

Amy’s financial situation improved by more than £4,500.

The support from Children First gave Amy relief from the huge stress she was under which had been impacting her mental health and improved things for her children, Jack and Rex, too.

Now they are all doing well, have long-term financial stability and can look forward to the future together.

Amy said: “I felt invisible before I called. Now I feel like someone is on my side. My kids are happy, and I can breathe again.”

Children First’s experienced support line team can give confidential help with money worries, and thanks to £1.5m funding from the Scottish Government, can provide emergency support to families living in poverty. 

As well as immediate help, every family that contacts the charity’s support line will be offered expert debt management advice, support to access benefits, and guidance to help families build a more secure financial future.

Thanks to partners British Gas Energy Trust, the charity is also able to offer eligible families new white goods ranging from fridges to washing machines - but only until the end of February.

If you need support, like Amy and her children did, call Children First’s support line on 08000 28 22 33 or start a webchat at www.childrenfirst.org.uk/supportline.

*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the family.