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HOW THE FSM VOUCHERS HELPED A FAMILY SURVIVE and how we are not all "scroungers" a thread.
In light of the government's recent refusal to issue thw FSM vouchers to struggling families during half term, I wanted to share our story of how those vouchers helped us at a time we really needed help. You see just over a year ago I had a complete mental breakdown. Things got
bleak and I didnt know how I was going to make it through. From getting my first "job" (a paper round) at 13 years old I have worked ever since. That was until a year ago and I havent been able to work since. My husband works full time and any overtime he gets offered he takes.
Then lockdown happened and my husband was furloughed for the first time (he was furloughed 3 times all in all since March) Each time this happened we had to re-navigate the wonderful Universal Credit system and wait to see how much we would be paid. One month due to errors we got
a big fat £0. Now here is where the vouchers saved us. Due to our youngest son being ASD we were entitled to free school meals thus enabling us the voucher. Now when you literally have no money left these £15 weekly vouchers and help from a foodbank mean food for your children
mum and dad can wait as long as kids fed). These last few months have nearly destroyed us, we nearly lost our home, our realationship and our sanity. Things are still extremly hard but thankfully my husband is back at work full time (at least for now who knows whether another
lockdownnis coming) and we will get through this again. With Xmas looming I am starting to feel the pressure and worry of how the hell do we do this!!
The work that @MarcusRashford and others are doing to raise awareness gives mums like me that little but of hope that it will get better. I hope by some miracle the government has a change of heart and issues the vocuhers as I know there are families out there much worse off than
Us.
I know this thread may be met with people saying how "we shouldn't have had kids if we cant afford them" but I hope I have gave a little insight that it isnt as easy as that. This has been so hard to say but maybe just maybe another mum (and dad) will see this and know they are
Not alone. It is heartbreaking seeing your child look in the cupboard or ask for a treat like a chocolate bar etc and you cant give them it. I have honestly cried until i just couldn't cry anymore.
Foodbanks, charities and the volunteers are angels in disguise who deserve so much credit for the help they give. I apologise for the lengthy post and to those who took the time to read THANK YOU
