Single Dad, three children, (3yrs 9yrs 15yrs) recent split partner, left with debts with utilities and other services who will not speak to dad re payments as he is not the account holder.  

Dad rang and referred himself for support from a volunteer.  

Dad explained situation particularly as the utilities token meters were taking so much for the debt the family had been using more than half the benefit on these and this was only giving 3 to 4 days of service.  He explained he had little food and only one Christmas present for C3 and wasn’t sure how he was going to manage the utilities over the Christmas period, Partner was not amicable to speak to re the utility situation.

Coordinator visited to assess the situation and took the family an emergency hamper from the food pantry and also referred him into a local food pantry near him.

the children were added to the HAF Xmas Programme as C2 had FSM, this enabled them to access the 4 meal food hamper and the Christmas event if Dad was feeling able to attend. The hamper was delivered to the family along with extra goodies from Home-Start’s partnership with Outwood church for Christmas food donations, and a few presents each for the 3 children from the various donations we had received.  

We also gave Dad a code for 12 months of BT Wi-Fi Free which is part of the Home start, BT Partnership working and referred the family into Home start partnership with SCS for a new Sofa as the springs have gone in the one the family currently had, making it unsuitable for use.

we had also received a donation of £50 to help a family in crisis at Christmas so a worker took his electric and gas cards and put the £50 onto them to help them through the festive period.

Dad agreed he was very isolated and valued having support from a volunteer to chat to while he got things in order.

Dad reflected  after  Christmas and said although he is a very proud man, he was grateful for the help, he couldn’t thank HS enough for what they had done as he doesn’t know how he would have managed without the help provided.  

“You made Christmas for us, I’m not sure what I would have done without the help from Homestart” 

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This case study demonstrates how Homestart responds to need in a situation that doesn’t meet crisis intervention levels but needed action.