Amy found herself overwhelmed. She was living in a flat that was too small, contained mould, and frequently had leaks caused by the property above, while also navigating the challenges of being a new mother to a premature baby. Caring for her newborn, alongside her cat and dog, and dealing with her housing situation left Amy feeling very stressed, and she was in desperate need of support. That’s when SafeHaven+ stepped in and helped her regain stability in her life.
Amy’s journey with SafeHaven+ began when she was first referred to the project 18 months prior, due to having no place to live. Within a year, she was successfully re-housed in a short hold assured tenancy, marking a significant turning point. Six months later, Amy found herself in another housing and mental health crisis and was referred again to SafeHaven+ for further support.
Health visitors played a crucial role during this time, regularly assessing and supporting Amy and her baby, to ensure their safety and well-being. Amy worked closely with her SafeHaven+ Support Worker, who guided to help her regain control over her circumstances and find her footing again.
With the help of her Support Worker and Buckinghamshire’s Citizens Advice service, Amy applied for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Carer’s Allowance benefits to support her and her newborn’s needs. Both applications were successfully approved, providing her with much-needed financial support.
Amy also applied for the Bucks Home Choice scheme, a service that allocates social housing in Buckinghamshire, offering residents more choice in selecting where they live. Her Support Worker guided her through the application process, assisting Amy with gathering and uploading the necessary evidence. Initially placed in Band C, Amy’s situation was reassessed due to the health challenges she and her baby were facing. With supporting medical evidence from her Health Visitor, GP, and Social Services, Amy’s priority was successfully raised to Band B. She continues to bid weekly on Bucks Home Choice properties while also exploring private rental options.
During this time, Amy faced rent arrears after a recent hospital stay. Her Support Worker referred her to a local Sick and Poor Fund, which helped clear her arrears and provided financial assistance for essential baby items.
They also helped her register with Dogs Trust, which supplied food for her cat and dog, and connected her to local baby banks, ensuring she had everything her baby needed from clothing to changing mats.
Thanks to Bucks SafeHaven+, Amy has been able to overcome significant housing and mental health challenges. Her story is one of resilience, and with the ongoing support of SafeHaven+, she is now on the path to a more stable and independent life for herself and her family.
The Bucks SafeHaven+ project is a collaboration between Connection Support, Buckinghamshire Mind, Citizens Advice, Oasis Partnership, and Adult Mental Health Teams, aimed at providing support that helps people avoid hospital admissions and improve their overall mental health and well-being. For more information about how the Bucks SafeHaven+ project could help you, please click here.
*To protect our client’s privacy, names have been changed and stock imagery has been used in place of real photographs.
