South Hams Citizens Advice Bureau

Help us to help Lucy

Lucy is 5 years old. She is upset and constantly ill and is missing school. She no longer laughs.

Her mother and father work full time, her father is the main wage earner. They live in rural South Hams and are feeling the effects of utility and petrol bills rising. Their mortgage payments are becoming difficult to meet.

Her father has just been diagnosed with a long term health problem and his employer is threatening dismissal.

Lucy is feeling neglected as her father is battling with his illness and his employer: Her mother has been to her GP for depression as she is worried about how she is going to afford to feed and clothe Lucy; pay the mortgage and the bills.

As her father visits the hospital for more tests Lucy visits South Hams CAB with her mother. Their volunteer adviser explained their rights on the following issues: Housing, Employment, Money management, Benefits, Health related issues, Utilities.

  • Lucy is no longer threatened with being homeless
  • Her father understands his rights as an employee and is no longer worried about his employer
  • Her mother has started to budget her money with the new benefits and energy efficiencies
  • They have been lifted out of fuel poverty
  • The whole family is being supported

    • With the help of the CAB, Lucy no longer feels stress and has started to laugh again.

    Help us to help more families like Lucy's