Providing Voice for the Voiceless

The cost of living is showing no sign of getting better. Ms Nana was a 32-year-old single mum of twins who came in from West Africa on a Certificate of Sponsorship as a qualified nurse to work in the UK with “no recourse to public fund”. She came to AFRICAN VOICE IN MOSTON on a referral from the local authority due to her restricted visa status, she told us that she is struggling to pay her rent because she was unable to return to work after the recent delivery of her twin babies, also feed her children and looking for a reputable childminder. According to the 32-year-old single mum of two, she was also facing eviction due to rent arrears and was forced to squeeze on her budget. She cancelled all her regular payments to reduce pressure on her budget. She attended our drop-in sessions to seek help. She told us how she is struggling to make ends meet with one meal a day. She is constantly unable to eat well as a new mother, and that upsets her a lot. She kept asking how things were going to get better. She said she is on one meal a day because the food price has gone higher. Therefore, she is spending less on food and essentials. The caseworker introduced her to the Outreach support team to get further support with a referral to our Collect & Go food parcel and wellbeing department. AFRICAN VOICE IN MOSTON was able to signpost her to another charity for rehousing while we continue to support her and the babies with food supplies, regular home visits, lists of registered childminders and helping to facilitate local doctor registration and provide out-of-office WhatsApp/phone wellbeing access support.

Nana’s feedback reads: I never wished to be a single parent relying on food parcel. Thank you for rescuing my babies and I, don’t know where I would have been without your organisation’s support. God bless the works of your hands; I am very grateful.