It’s nice to know somebody is thinking of you at Christmas

Christmas can be an especially tough time for families. Here mum Janet explains why Family Action’s Toy Appeal and FOOD Club means so much to her and her son.

At one point everything was so rosy… I had a lovely house on a large piece of land and, although I wouldn’t say I was rich, I didn’t want for anything.  I suppose looking back I was quite materialistic, but that changed when I went through a divorce and some bad relationships and lost everything some time ago.  Although I’ve always worked since then I just couldn’t make ends meet. 

Thankfully it felt like things stabilised recently when my son and I were given a housing association house… but not before we spent a few months living in a hostel. I found it difficult as I was the only person in the hostel who worked – I’m a cleaner – and, in my mid-fifties, I felt like I was a lot older than the other people there.

The cost of living keeps going up, but my salary doesn’t

I’ve cut back on cleaning products for the house, but I’m not sure it’s a good idea in the long run as my sink was blocked the other day and I’m sure it’s because I’m not using as much bleach. But it’s getting worrying to think how much things actually cost – things like school shirts and uniforms. We can’t afford to go anywhere and we don’t have any money for treats or presents. It’s hard for my son as he used to have nice things, but he’s learnt to adapt and it’s probably done him good in the long run. 

When you don’t get much having that one present to open when you sit around the tree means a lot.  At least you’ve got a present… at least you got one.

Janet, Mum

That’s why the Family Action Toy Appeal is so amazing.

Last year my son was given a spirograph and, even though I didn’t think he would be into it because he’s so sporty he was made up… he said “mum, this is so cool”.  I think it’s nice to know that somebody is thinking of you, especially at Christmas, and it does make you feel quite humble that somebody has gone out of their way to choose a present. 

When you don’t get much having that one present to open when you sit around the tree means a lot.  At least you’ve got a present… at least you got one.  

If Family Action decided to close its FOOD Clubs I don’t know what I’d do as it’s a lifeline to me and the people I talk to in the queue. 

When I go to Family Action’s Food Club there’s a real sense of community and a lovely atmosphere and that makes it all seem better as you’re not the only one going through it. I don’t go to the supermarket anymore – I just get my food bag from the service and see what I can produce in the next few days… although I always try to ensure that my teenage son gets the fruit first as he needs to stay healthy.

I do like my vegetables though and my son eats everything that’s put on his plate. Some kids are faddy eaters but my son knows that if he doesn’t eat what’s on his plate there might not be anything else.  He says one day he’s going to look after me when he’s rich from playing sports… but I’m just happy to have a roof over my head.

We’ve been at the top, we hit rock bottom, and when I look at what we’ve been through we still came through it… and I’m so glad for the gifts we’ve been given, like the house. 

I try to keep it house nice – I painted it all with white paint and I upcycled all our furniture from things we were given or things I could pick up from car boot sales. I reupholstered a lot of it with new fabrics. I have to be careful with the amount I do though as I’ve got a number of health conditions related to my legs which are very painful, and as a single parent I have to do all the parental jobs so I can’t stop, but I work as much as I can. 

I’m constantly on the go and I just pray that the car doesn’t break down as I need it for work and school and, particularly recently with the increase in the cost of living, there’s no money left over to fix it.  

I’m hoping that my life will change in the future. At the moment I’m ticking over but I’m hoping I can work things out. I saw a bloke begging who I used to go to school with the other day and he said hello…  it’s sad, but that could have been me – we could have easily spiralled down even further.  So I’m grateful for my house and I’m grateful for my son: life is what you make of it.

Donate

Keep the magic of Christmas alive for a child or young person with nothing to open this year with a symbolic gift donated to our Toy Appeal.

Thank you for submitting a donation. Make another donation

£7.50 could buy a baby book or comforting teddy

£25 could buy a young carer a craft kit

£60 could help keep a family fed this Christmas through our FOOD Clubs

Other

Your donation amount £ £

£10 a month could provide two families with a regular parcel of food

£25 a month could enable us to support 15 more families in crisis via FamilyLine

£50 a month could provide families with essentials such as warm clothing, cooking equipment & beds

Other

Your donation amount £ £

Donate now

It’s nice to know somebody is thinking of you at Christmas

The cost of living keeps going up, but my salary doesn’t

That’s why the Family Action Toy Appeal is so amazing.

Donate

Read more stories like this...

Toy Appeal – gifting the magic of Christmas

A tiny toy for Christmas, a world of difference for us

Cathryne’s story: how the Toy Appeal helped my son, a young carer

Helping families manage the cost of Christmas through our FOOD Clubs

Vicky’s story: how the Toy Appeal saved Christmas

How a welfare grant helped Sarah stay independent

Education grant helps Peter study for the future

How an education grant has helped as a single parent

Phillipa’s story: how FOOD Clubs helped my family

FOOD Clubs – feeding the family when times are hard

Noor’s story: finding support as a single parent in a new country

Gemma’s story: the difference our FOOD Club makes