She was in a very low and depressed state, unable to leave her bed after being made redundant from her previous job in June, where she had been a carer in a care home. She had large rent arrears and was not receiving the appropriate benefits; instead, she had been receiving financial help from her daughter.
I gained the details of the relevant council department and the individual dealing with her rent, and I communicated with them regarding obtaining financial support to quash her rental arrears. I also advised her to contact her energy, water, and internet providers to access their ‘hardship fund’ to reduce her outgoing expenses or potentially cancel any debts she may have with them. Additionally, I encouraged her to apply for Universal Credit, which she did.
Through empathetic conversation, I helped to rebuild her confidence by highlighting her strengths and attributes. Over the course of our meetings, I observed her gaining strength and confidence. She applied for and secured two new jobs: one full-time position and a second job covering two night shifts per week.
Unfortunately, before starting the jobs, my client had a bad fall and called me in a complete panic, fearing she would lose her job. I reassured her that this would not be the case and advised her to seek urgent medical attention, which she did. After visiting the hospital, a chipped hip bone was diagnosed.
Her new employers were very understanding and assigned her lighter duties to start with. As things progressed, R received the good news that her rent arrears would be wiped, and that Universal Credit and housing benefit had come through.
R was now getting up for her new job with revived vigour, transformed into a person unrecognisable from the individual I had met several weeks earlier. She expressed her gratitude for all my help, and I complimented her on her resilience and admirable work ethic.
R is now happily in a new job role in the care sector, enjoying a good relationship with her colleagues and employer.
