My child attends St Albans pre-school and I am working full time. I’ve recently become a single parent and have been feeling stressed and under pressure being a lone-parent, which is a new situation for me. I have no family here, and due to my personal and work commitments I don’t have a support network of friends or others in the community. I needed emotional support and advice, and it took courage to disclose my history of being a victim of domestic violence and the recent threatening messages I’ve received, left by my ex-partner. I wanted this to stop but did not know what steps to take.
I needed support in taking the initial steps to formally complain about abuse I had suffered in the past and my current feeling of being threatened. St Albans supported me in reporting incidents to the police and provided assistance in giving a witness statement to a Domestic Violence charity in support of an application made to the court. They also supported me in contacting charities to access emotional support and listening services by trained counsellors with experience supporting those who have experienced domestic violence and abuse. I have also been given support in booking a court hearing and attending this. St Albans have been essential in finding the right channels to get the help I need. Though things are still in motion, I feel much better after being able to access support through WDH Sandwell and it has helped me being able to share my story with others. I will continue to attend counselling and make use of the child and parent activities at St Albans, and they are continuing to support me.
“I’ve been able to share the burdens that I have been carrying alone, and get the support needed to take necessary action to protect myself and my child.”
