This Is Life: D
August 20, 2018Ever had days whereby you just can't cope? It's all too much? What happens when your a 52 year old woman caring for your parents who have dementia and live in sheltered housing. Your children have moved out and got on with their lives, but you're stuck in a 3 bed house being charged bedroom tax. Letters come in demanding money, but because of that mental breakdown you had 20 years ago, you never really did recover. You feel inferior to the 'authorities' and just don't understand Job Centre Plus Universal Credit. It's worse when you are scared of your Work Coach because they share a surname with someone you fear. Your best friend has died, your family are passing away around you and you are all alone.
This is D's story, I met her tonight. I was driving home and a friend rung me to say they found someone collapsed outside of Pitsea station who was homeless. I took her for a coffee and something to eat. BUT SUBWAY would not let me off 30p to get her a sub - I had no money on me, I explained what I was trying to get this lady help. We live in a sad world when money is more important than humanity!!
Anyway, it was 7.30pm so I phoned Shelter - phones were busy. I phoned streetlink and they could come out in one to three days. I phoned Basildon Borough Council out of hours team - which said they were closed. I looked at HARP Southend which I couldn't find an out of hours number, but my friend who works there said phone shelter or streetlink and sent me the links. I then phoned the police, whilst I was on hold two officers entered Subway, I asked them. They gave me outdated Basildon Winter scheme.
At this point I was crying. It has been 20 years since I was homeless, but I have now realised how privileged I was living in a London Borough. Having car/sofa surfed my way onto the streets I slept on the steps of Romford YMCA. I think it was three nights until they found me a room. But someone was there for me.
What happens when you have mental capacity but are broken by life. What happens when you are not mentally unstable but your wellbeing is subzero.
I could not leave this lady, her eyes were haunting with pain. You can't leave someone on the street that is so vulnerable it breaks my heart. I rang round friends, none could help. I couldn't bring her back to mine (God I thought about it) because of Safeguarding and I'd lose everything and that would stop me doing what I do. So, I was prepared to sleep with her on the streets until I could get her help in the morning. But when we went to move, she said she couldn't and there was pain. So, I phoned 111, I explained the situation - it was likely that lack of food and self-care was more of a factor than an a medical emergency but after an assessment felt it best to send an ambulance. The crew that turned up were lovely, after the assessment they felt a mental health assessment was unlikely to happen, but because of her raised heart-rate (likely anxiety) they could take her in for tests and observations. At least she will be safe for tonight, even if it is in a waiting room. Tomorrow, although apprehensive D has agreed to speak to HARP Southend and seek advice and guidance from Peabody.
Tonight this is all I can do to raise awareness of the broken souls that fall through the net. This is not humanity, this is not how people should be treated. We can do better. We can change the system if we talk about the gaps. We can make a difference if we pull together.
This poor lady is going to break and has no-one looking out for her. Let's change that for her and for thousands of others.
Posted by carla Andrews. Posted In : This is LIFE
