Autumn H

I had a period of great instability - related due to domestic violence, a breakdown and three kids and two dogs in tow.

I lived in ten places in three years. Every house move meant costs, connection of services, redirection of mail, deposits, furniture, carpets.

And yet I was treated like the problem. Labelled as a person with a chaotic lifestyle. Denied repeated help. Delays in financial support, benefits and so forth.

At one point I was so low I considered taking all our lives.

All I needed was one named individual to help, to talk to, to advocate for me.

I’m glad to say I’m now in a better place, but my kids all live with trauma from these days and I feel so guilty for that.