It is so sad reading some of the heartbreaking reasons for referrals to our charity. Sadly a lot of them are domestic violence related (being left in poverty after leaving the relationship, fleeing in the night with only a bag of personal possessions, having to start again in a different County with no family/friends for support, children and parent left mentally and physically bruised, ex partner still trying to control them withholding rent/mortgage payments, changes to benefits from joint to single claim). Shocking that this goes on around us – and the destruction of lives that goes on for many years.

Double buggy requested and buggy boards all going to a new home – with essential box and Lush treats

Firstly, a huge thank you to Lynn for covering on her own last week while I was on holiday!! We had referrals for and provided maternity clothes for a mum-to-be in the refuge, a microwave and bedding for a young mum who was homeless and is currently staying in temporary accommodation, 3 x birthday gifts – for the refuge and a family in poverty, 5 x scooters to the refuge, 2 x weekly food shops for families in poverty, cot bedding and toddler bedding for a family who have been in temporary accommodation and are struggling, a new fridge for a mum in poverty, bike locks for a family in the refuge and ladies clothes for the human trafficking refuge.

Today we have had delivered new products, ready for a young family to rebuild their lives in a new home

More Ashley Bears going to the refuge for the new intake of families. All the bears are well received, and this has been the feedback so far …. “They were all really excited to collect them. The bears were a lovely touch for the families that had just moved in, we put the bears on the children’s beds for them to find when they moved in. We all think the idea is lovely and really comforting to the children when they move in with very little”

Two Ashley Bears and Primark Vouchers going to a mum who has been a victim of domestic violence and now has no clothes to wear. The bears are going to her children to bring some comfort following their experience.

In the last 10 days, we have provided the following items on referral from Social Workers, Refuge, and Health Visitors – a birthday present for a child in the refuge; a cotbed mattress for a mum and baby in temporary accommodation; bunkbeds for siblings due to poverty; a single mattress, cotbed mattress and bedding for a family in poverty; a fridge freezer for a mum who has esacaped domestic violence and is setting up a new home; pillows, canvas wardrobe, nappies and baby items for a new mum who has escaped domestic violence and is struggling financially; a food shop for a family in poverty; a stairgate due to health & safety concerns; a medicine cabinet for child protection reasons; a double divan bed for a mum to be who has escaped domestic violence and is currently sleeping on a camp bed; a fridge freezer, vouchers, food shopping, and household items for a family who suffered a house fire and lost everything, Thank you to everyone who supports us – your money and donations help us continue to provide for these families.

Big thanks for all donations we included washing products and new bedding ,some lovely Lush products to help relax

Two weekly food shops ordered yesterday – going to families who are unable to feed their children. One due to benefit changes and waiting for Universal Credit to start, and one for a family who have taken in children from another family member and need some support to feed them all until everything is in place

Cot, mattress, highchair, baby toys and nappies going to a mum who has had a tough time and is trying to make a good life for her and her baby