DOIN' IT FOR THE KIDS by Jo Henwood

Paying rent and fuel bills, putting a meal on the table and keeping the children clothed are basic life necessities. But rising costs in food and fuel, National Insurance contribution increases and council tax hikes are just some of the reasons more and more people are really struggling to make ends meet.

Which is why Pathways Advisors at The Life Rooms in Liverpool have upped sticks and headed out into Children’s Centres in the community to offer life saving help to vulnerable families.

Pathways Advisor Jude Crabb (right) with client Joaquina

One such adviser, Jude Crabb, works full time in centres across Liverpool to help people find jobs, sort out issues like rent arrears and benefits, claim refunds and access financial support. It is not just practical help that Jude offers – she also talks to mums and dads about their wellbeing.

I am going to be a warrior for these people.

Jude’s natural empathy for the plight of families stems from her first job at the Alder Centre where she was the first point of call for distressed parents following the death of a child.

After a change of career to administration while her four children were growing up, she rejoined the NHS six years ago in a secretarial role.

It was when Jude’s daughters were considering studying nursing that she toyed with a career change.

“I was with one of them at an open day at Edge Hill university and I thought: ‘I wish I could do something worthwhile’.”

It was then that a job came up as a Pathways Advisor and Jude says she put ‘a real effort’ into her application form which paid off.

It is clear that there is no case too difficult for Jude and her determination to improve people’s lives means she is always prepared to go the extra mile.

Her current caseload includes a dad with epilepsy who is trying desperately to resume contact with his profoundly autistic daughter, a man who is seeking work after looking after his children while his wife was in prison, and a single mum who wants to improve life for herself and her daughter.

“I am going to be a warrior for these people,” says Jude who, fittingly, is named after the patron saint of hope and impossible causes.

People are having to wait for a bath because there’s no hot water.

Mark Bell, Early Years Lead at The Life Rooms, said: “Taking our service to the community and not waiting for people to find us, is about prevention. Reaching people before their social and practical issues have hit crisis point can prevent them from becoming even more unwell.”

County Road Children’s Centre manager Joanne Smith is delighted with the support of the Pathways Advisors.

She said: “The past two years have been such a challenging time for families because of the pandemic. Children’s speech and language development has been delayed because they have spent so much time in isolation and our absolute priority now is to get those children ‘school ready’.

“Having this additional support in place to help mums and dads, is indispensable.

“Fuel poverty means we hear about people having to wait to have a bath because there is no hot water. We have had an increase in demand for food vouchers and we have an increasing number of refugees coming into the area who need help with things like housing and vaccination. We have never been busier.

“The Life Rooms Pathways Advisers are so dynamic and have so much knowledge, it is an enormous benefit.”

DO YOU NEED HELP?

If you are struggling and would like to speak to a Life Rooms Pathways Advisor about any practical or social issue you can access them in many ways.

Drop in appointments are available at The Life Rooms in Walton, Bootle, Southport and Lee Valley and there are sessions available at libraries and One Stop Shops in Liverpool including Norris Green, Central, Kensington, Toxteth, Garston and Parklands Library and Kirkdale One Stop Shop.

Pathways Advisers are also at the following Children’s Centres on different days of the week: Belle Vale, Childwall and Woolton, County, Garston, Kensington, Picton, Tuebrook and Wavertree.

For more information and a timetable visit: liferooms.org

SHE HELPS ME

Joaquina had a university education in her homeland and is taking English lessons to improve her chance of employment.

Single mum Joaquina has been living in Liverpool for two years with her four year old daughter. Originally from East Timor in South East Asia, she first arrived in the UK six years ago.

Aproud woman with a youthful countenance that belies her 34 years, she is full of energy with an infectious smile.

We meet at County Road Children’s Centre before she heads off for her English lessons – something she is committed to in order to improve her employment chances.

Joaquina was first referred to the Centre when it was noticed that her daughter had some delays in her speech and language development.

When it became clear that she had ongoing issues around housing, paying her bills, Child Benefit and finding a job, she secured an appointment with Jude who has since been working with Joaquina on a regular basis.

“They are great here,” she says smiling. “There is always someone to support you. My daughter goes to the playgroup and enjoys the soft play and Jude has been so helpful.”

Joaquina, who had a university education in her homeland and office experience in accounting and finance, has found a job working eight hours a week as a catering assistant but is keen to get more hours.

There is always someone to support you.

“I have been offered work which starts at 6am. At the moment I can’t do that because of my daughter, but Jude is helping me access childcare.

“She helps me with everything.”

Joaquina has had issues accessing her Child Benefit which is being paid to her former partner.

Jude says: “Joaquina had applied to have this changed but had heard nothing. I was able to get in touch with the DWP on her

behalf and chase up her application but it appeared it had not been received.

“I helped Joaquina reapply and showed her how to get proof of postage from the Post Office so that she can follow it up if she needs to.

“She is really proactive – she applies for lots of jobs and gets the interviews – I have been able to signpost her to services that will help her understand how many hours she can work, claiming tax credits and understanding what she is entitled to.”

Joaquina knows it’s a further five weeks to hear back from the DWP but knows that she is not alone in her battle to make the most of her life in the UK and give her daughter the best possible start.

NEED HELP?

Find a Children’s Centre near you: gov.uk Life Rooms: liferooms.org