From seeking support to helping others at a Family Hub
Emma is on a quest to help people who are facing the same challenges she endured.
By her own admission, Emma was “massively struggling” financially before a trip to one of Wirral Council’s “warm and welcoming” Family Hubs changed everything.
Family Hubs provide information, advice and support for families with children aged 0-19, or up to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Support covers a wide range of areas, including parenting, health and wellbeing, employment, lifelong learning and much more.
At the time, Emma was a single parent of an autistic daughter and unable to work. She was reluctant to apply for Disability Living Allowance for children (DLA) but as her circumstances did not improve, she finally knew she needed support.
Emma was put in touch with Joanne, from Citizens Advice Wirral, with their meeting at Seacombe Family Hub proving to be pivotal.
There is a bit of a stigma around DLA, created by some people who think you are taking advantage of the system.
Honestly, it put me off for a long time. But we were massively struggling and I couldn’t go to work as my daughter couldn’t cope with things like breakfast and after-school clubs. I needed to be available to pick her up if there was an issue at school.
In the end, I went for DLA. I visited Joanne from Citizens Advice Wirral at the Seacombe Family Hub.
Family Hubs have a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Everyone is lovely, just like those at Citizens Advice Wirral. It’s a calm, peaceful and homely environment.
The Family Hubs and Citizens Advice Wirral can change your life. It might sound dramatic but they helped me a huge amount. They can assist you with so much – whether that is the cost of living, benefits, debt or housing issues.
With support available, Emma completed a thorough application, detailing all her family’s circumstances. Her application was successful and life became more manageable.
So impressed was Joanne by Emma's dedication that she encouraged her to consider volunteering with Citizens Advice Wirral, supporting people facing similar issues from within a Family Hub.
At first, Emma did not feel ready to take on the role. But as the months passed by, she found herself returning to Joanne’s suggestion.
I had been financially struggling and was mentally exhausted, so I couldn’t commit to it. As a single parent, my confidence wasn't as high as it once was, but volunteering kept playing on my mind, so I decided to get back in touch with Joanne.
The DLA forms are difficult. I’ve always been quite good at English but for someone who struggles, it is overwhelming. Joanne gave me a confidence boost, recognising there is something in me.
Emma is undergoing training with Citizens Advice Wirral before she is placed in one of Wirral’s Family Hubs and she is relishing the opportunity to help people facing similar challenges to those she has experienced.
Volunteering has been lovely and I feel like I have got a purpose other than motherhood. In the future, I’ll be able to get back into working life. For now, this is perfect.
I’ll help where I am needed – whether that is filling in forms or face-to-face contact. I want to be committed to where people need the help.
Reflecting on her experiences, Emma believes the help she received through Family Hubs and Citizens Advice Wirral was transformative.
You’re not going to lose anything by getting in touch through a Family Hub and speaking to Citizens Advice. If there isn’t anything they can do for you, they’ll offer support in some sort of way and signpost you to other organisations.
About Family Hubs
Family Hubs offer a wide range of services for families including:
- Online learning for parents, carers, grandparents and teens click here for information and to access the courses
- group activities for families to support child development
- accessing health appointments with midwives
- health visitors
- accessing services when relationships in your life might need some support
- library and foodbank services
To find your nearest Family Hub or for more information, click here.
