Sarah’s story
This is a story of one of our clients who has lived experience of domestic abuse. This story has been shared with consent but names have been changed to protect identities.
Building a safe future for her family
For Sarah, life as a single mum of two young children in North Lanarkshire has not been easy.
After experiencing domestic abuse from her ex-partner, she was left feeling low in confidence and unsure of herself.
But it was Sarah's NHS health visitor, Melanie, who first referred her to Routes To Work through the Working for Families partnership.
On one of her routine check-ups she asked Sarah how she was doing and what she saw for the future for her and her children, and seeing that Sarah needed a helping hand, got in touch with case worker Jane from Routes To Work.
At our Craigneuk office Sarah met Jane, and from the very first meeting, Jane saw her potential.
Sarah recalls: “Jane said to me, no Sarah, I see potential in your person. You can do anything - but just step by step. We’ll make a future plan. I’ll support you. I’ll help you.”
With Jane’s encouragement, Sarah began to rebuild her confidence. She was referred to Caroline, a psychologist, for over-the-phone counselling sessions.
“First session was really strange, because I needed to talk about my story, my past. After the session I felt so depressed, so little. But another session, and another - I feel like a flower. Honestly - I feel like I’m opening myself up!” Sarah says.
Together, Jane and Caroline gave Sarah the strength to believe again. Jane also helped Sarah explore training that fits around her children’s needs.
“I’m starting to do a hygiene course now because Jane pushed me forward to be a catering assistant in the school. That’s school hours, term-time. I’m looking forward to this and I know I can do it.” Sarah said.
Sarah's children are her greatest motivation though - they are the reason she wants to step back out into the world!
“My daughter is seven, she has ADHD and autism. She’s my first child and I really love her. My son is four, he’s my superhero. He motivates me a lot. They give me the reason to make my life better,” she says proudly.
Sarah now keeps a card Caroline made for her, filled with her dreams and future plans, stuck on her fridge as a daily reminder: “Even if I have a bad day now, I see that card and it says, look Sarah, you can do it. Your motivation is your kids.”
Sarah has some advice for other women who are in the same boat she was in:
“Don’t hide your problems. You’re not yourself. You have support everywhere, but first you need to share your problems. Don’t close yourself in a cage. One day you need to open the cage - and with other people’s help, you can.”
Our partnership with NHS Lanarkshire
Sarah's story is such an inspiring one, that tells of her strength and willingness to provide a better life for her family, and it's been a pleasure to support her through that!
But we wouldn't have met Sarah if it wasn't for the referral from her NHS Health Visitor, Melanie.
The partnership with NHS Lanarkshire through our Working For Families programme has referred 30 people into our support.
