RE and C of Bucks

This case is notable for the awful situation of 38-year old single mum RE and her 5-year old son C but also for the speed with which we were able to help them.

On a Wednesday afternoon, a support group told us that:

RE and C had been abused by the alcoholic ex-partner and father.
Their house had been repossessed.
They'd been rehoused in a disgusting bedsit in a building occupied by drug users.
The other occupants knocked on their door day and night.
RE had tried to kill herself twice through sheer desperation!
C's classroom behaviour had suffered through fear and lack of sleep.
After taking him to school, RE walked the streets each day rather than returning to the bedsit to more abuse from the drug users.
The council would not relocate them.
Social Services had declared the bedsit unsuitable for C.
Unless RE found a suitable alternative within the next two weeks, Social Services would take C into care!

The support group had found them a nice house to rent, complete even with bedding and cutlery, but they needed a rent deposit of Ł750.

As we'd just had our monthly trustee meeting, the trustees were emailed the details that afternoon.

By the Thursday morning they all said 'do it'.

On the Friday morning we paid the deposit to the new landlord.

On the Monday morning, RE and D were moved in!

This case clearly shows that the speed with which help is provided can be as important as the support actually given.

Helping Children Locally : Star Chambers : 7 Scirocco Close : Moulton Park : Northampton : NN3 6AP
Tel.01604 648700 : Fax.05600 754 429