“In 2021 I was working in private architectural practice and had been struggling financially for some time. My partner was unable to work due to ill health and I had been trying to support us both on a single salary of less than £30k, of which 60% was spent on our rent. The situation was very stressful for us both and I was suffering with exhaustion.
When I contacted ABS they assigned a Welfare Officer to my case and she arranged a telephone meeting straight away. I explained my situation and the impact it was having, and she then sent me a form to record my financial details in order to make an assessment. The form was much simpler and less stressful than applications for financial assistance I have made in the past, and soon after I returned it, I was contacted to say that I had been approved for a monthly grant. The whole process only took a few days.
Hearing that we would soon have support in the form of grant funding was an enormous relief for my partner and I. It allowed us leeway – for my partner to focus on getting well enough to work, and for me to reduce stress and be able to meet my own needs. As well as the grant, one of the most helpful aspects of the support I received was the conversations with my Welfare Officer. When talking to her I always felt that she was taking the time to listen and fully understand my situation in a compassionate and empathetic way. It made a big difference to hear that she could see how hard things had been and that I deserved help.
Although I had been an ABS Ambassador for several years and recommended their support on many occasions, it had not occurred to me to ask ABS for help myself until a friend (who is also an ABS Ambassador) reminded me that it was an option for me too.
Feeling undeserving of help (because there are always others in more difficult situations) is something that I struggle with – it contributed to the fact I waited a long time before contacting ABS and I know it is a common feeling. I can’t overstate how important it was to have someone tell me that help was available and appropriate in my case. That reassurance helped alleviate both the feeling of guilt and shame for needing help in the first place as well as my preconception that I was not a deserving beneficiary.
Since being in receipt of the monthly support, my partner has returned to training and is now in a much better position. My health has improved – I am far less stressed and exhausted and this has enabled me to realise my long-term goal to make a career change.
I will always be grateful to ABS for their judgement-free assistance when I needed it most and hope I can return the favour by continuing to spread the word about this brilliant charity!”