Jess, a single mum of three young children, was referred to The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation (TMDF) through one of our school partners in Northampton. Her two eldest had just joined the school after the family relocated from a neighbouring county, having fled a violent domestic situation. For several months, they had been living in emergency accommodation and had only recently moved into a long-term home. The house offered security, but little else. Unfortunately there was no flooring, no kitchen appliances beyond an oven, and not a single piece of furniture.
Having left their previous home in a rush, Jess and the children arrived with only small bags of clothes and essential items. She was overwhelmed, frightened, and unsure how she would rebuild her life from nothing. With no bed to sleep on, the family had been relying on a borrowed airbed from a neighbour, a temporary solution that was already starting to wear thin.
TMDF reached out to Jess the same day her situation was shared by the children’s school. We immediately arranged for a full set of beds, one for Jess and one for each of the children, all with mattresses, duvets, pillows and fresh bedding, to be delivered to her home. The next day, we provided a voucher that allowed the family to purchase a fridge and an air fryer, giving them a safe way to store and cook food while keeping their Gas & Electric costs low. Then, kindness arrived in another form, a generous donor gifted a sofa and chair set for the family’s living room, finally bringing warmth to their once-empty space.
Through our local network, we also referred Jess to another charity that provided additional furniture over the following weeks, helping the family’s new house become a true home. As the children had brought very few toys with them, we were able to secure a voucher for a local store, so Jess’ children could choose new toys of their own, giving them a chance to play, have fun and regain some sense of normality after such a traumatic experience.
Since then, Jess has continued to receive support from TMDF. Through our school shoes initiative, her children were able to receive new, properly fitting shoes, ready for the start of their next school year. The family also received several food parcels during their settling-in period, making sure they never went without essentials. At Christmas and Easter, we provided seasonal support and gifts, a huge help for Jess, who is estranged from her wider family and was struggling to afford presents on a very low income.
Jess and her children are in a far better place today. Their home is safe and comfortable, filled with the essentials they once went without, and the children are thriving in their new school. For the first time in a long while, Jess feels hopeful again; embracing the new life she’s built and the brighter future now within reach.
Do you or someone you know need help and support to get through a difficult time? We know that asking for help is not easy, just complete our contact form and we’ll be in touch with more on how we can help.
The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation
67 Grove Rd
Northampton
NN1 3LJ
Registered Charity Number: 1190255
