A mother of five has been talking to the Stray Ferret about the struggle to keep her head above water during lockdown and how it prompted dark ‘thoughts of ending it all’.
With the promise that her identity would be protected, the mother agreed to speak with us as she hopes it will help others.
This is her story.
“I had maxed out on my cards, the bills and red reminders were coming in and I had run out of food to feed my family.
“We had been living on pasta, perhaps with a bit of cheese sprinkled on it – but the last packet was now empty.
“I didn’t know where to turn and felt like a worthless failure, who had let her children down, everything looked bleak.
“I started having black thoughts about ending it all.”
Weekly food and recipes from Back to Basics, along with sound advice, proved a lifeline for a Ripon mother
But with practical assistance and advice, she is getting her life back on track. The mum found out about Back to Basics – an organisation that is helping Ripon families by tackling the fundamental issues of food poverty.
In addition to providing a regular supply of free ingredients and instructions on how to turn them into a nutritious family meal, Back to Basics helped the mother begin to sort out her finances.
She said:
“They could see that lack of food in my cupboards and fridge was just the tip of the iceberg.
“If I tried to pay overdue bills, I couldn’t afford to buy food and life was scary.
“Helen Mackenzie and her Back to Basics organisation saved my life.
“While teaching me how to make healthy meals on a budget, they also pointed me in the direction of people, agencies and advice services that have helped me to get my financial situation under control.”
Read more:
- Food poverty pioneers support the impoverished in Ripon
- Ripon Community donates 50 tonnes of food and other essential items
- Free fairground rides to help hard-up Ripon families this summer
In November 2019 – more than a year before coronavirus reached the UK – North Yorkshire’s former director of public health, Dr Lincoln Sargeant, published a report titled ‘Life in times of change – health and hardship in North Yorkshire’
This estimated that 92,000 people (15%) living in the county fell within the Government’s definition of poverty.
In Dr Sargeant’s report, he noted a re-emergence of destitution:
“There is still a striking similarity between poverty in the past and poverty today. They are still largely due to unemployment and low household income.”
He added:
“It can be hidden from view; where people live with the challenges of poverty among less disadvantaged neighbours.”
The covid crisis has made the situation worse for many families. This mother’s story shows how real those challenges of poverty are.
Have you been affected to be this story or in a similar situation? If you want to tell your story get in touch at [email protected]
