Addison was referred after she was arrested for the harassment of her neighbour. Whilst in custody she expressed that she needed all the help she could get and was referred into New Chance.
She was hard to get in touch with initially, but once first contact was made she was very eager to engage and get support from me as her New Chance caseworker and said my call had ‘made her day’.
On our first appointment, she was able to disclose some of her trauma including past domestic abuse and serious sexual assault. During our appointment we made a referral for additional support from RSVP (the Rape and Sexual Violence Project). Addison said I was the first person she felt comfortable telling this, and she had been keeping it a secret for a year and was struggling with it.
She also told me that she’d been a victim of crime in her home – which resulted in damage to the property – and some of her belongings being stolen which contributed to the offence.
We supported her to access the centre by providing her with a three-month Swift bus pass, she loved seeing the centre and the courses and activities on offer. She told me she wanted to get a job and was supported to find employment through Working Chance and will be have assistance throughout this process.
We have also helped her to successfully apply for the Household Support Fund to assist her financially. She is currently attending two courses at Anawim alongside with our usual drop-in groups.
Addison has said that she loves Anawim, has found it so helpful and, in comparison with when she first came to Anawim, she is in such a better place now, as she is now allowing herself to focus on her wellbeing.