People are often reluctant to accept help because they don’t want to appear vulnerable, feeling that having help is a failure. Accepting help doesn’t mean you’re weak, it is usually the opposite, as we all need support in some way at some point in our lives, and asking for help is a difficult and brave thing to do.
That’s why, at Connection Support, we aim to empower people to change their lives and build resilience for the future. We work with our clients to build support plans based on their personal requirements. The first step and sometimes the most important step is accepting help.
This was the case with Johnathan*, who was initially very reluctant to access support. He was referred to our Out of Hospital Community Team by the Embedded Housing Officer at the Warneford Hospital.
Johnathan was diagnosed with psychosis and suffered a mental health breakdown due to stress, caused by the breakdown of his marriage and not being able see his children. His ex-partner had accused him of violence and being radicalised, as well as reporting him for stalking her. She also refused to let him see his children and said he was ‘unfit’ as a father, denying his access to them.
On top of this, he had student loan debts, and debt collectors were pursuing him. He also had significant rent arrears, as well as a new tenancy, which was a sparsely equipped flat.
Supporting Johnathan was Losang, one of the Support Workers on our Out of Hospital Community Team. She worked with Johnathan to help him get his life back on track. Losang helped him arrange a repayment plan with the council to address his rent arrears, and complete a Housing Benefit and Council Tax Exemption Form. They contacted the debt agency together, who kindly put both of Johnathan’s student loan debts together and set up one affordable payment plan for him.
To help Johnathan furnish his flat, Losang applied for a grant from the City of Oxford Charity on Johnathan’s behalf. They kindly gave him money for a desk, chair, hoover, washing machine and bedding. Johnathan was very happy with this outcome.
Together they contacted the Prevent Team about Johnathan’s ex-partner’s claim that he had been radicalised. Prevent found no evidence of radicalisation and Johnathan was in the clear. They also spoke with the police about Johnathan’s stalking and harassment case and confirmed no further action would be taken. They advised him to not contact his ex-wife and that if he wanted to see his children he should apply through solicitors. Losang provided Johnathan with the contact details for a solicitor and offered to go with him to see them.
Getting back into education was also important to Johnathan. He had previously started a course in plumbing and wished to go back to complete it. Losang helped Johnathan find suitable colleges, prepare for the interview, and he was accepted to complete his training.
From working with the Out of Hospital Care Team, Johnathan was able to get the support he needed to improve his wellbeing and get his life back on track. He now has manageable repayment plans, is living in habitable accommodation, and has been cleared of his ex-partner’s claims. Johnathan was also provided with contact details for a legal advice service and was assured that he could always get back in contact with Losang and Connection Support if he ever felt he needed further help in the future.
To find out more information on how the Out of Hospital Community team supports those in Oxfordshire who experience repeated hospital admissions due to poor mental health, and whose wellbeing is impacted by housing issues, please click here.
*To protect our client’s privacy, names have been changed and stock imagery has been used in place of real photographs.
