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But hope was just around the corner. Following a referral from the hospital, the Red Cross contacted Rachel to ask if she needed support during her husband’s illness. It turned out that she desperately needed support, both emotionally and with day-to-day needs such as shopping.
New life
One of Rachel’s main concerns was lack of money. Although she was also entitled to – and very much needed – several benefits, she hadn’t applied for any due to a lack of knowledge about the benefits system. The Red Cross arranged for an Age Concern specialist to visit Rachel to provide some benefits advice and also information on her rights as a single person.
In just a few weeks, the Red Cross’ regular assistance transformed Rachel’s life.
Even better, her husband finally realised that he needed extra support and moved to a nearby nursing home.
Jean Laughlin, service co-ordinator, said: “It’s been the best possible outcome. She still visits her husband – and they are getting along much better now – but she finally has her own independence. And with her benefit payments in place, she’s actually better off than she has been for years.
Grateful
“Most importantly, now that she no longer lives in fear, Rachel is finally beginning to enjoy her own retirement for the first time. Where she had been very low and depressed, now she’s always smiling and going out. She’s very grateful that we put things in place for her.
Jean added: “Rachel always looks forward to visits from our volunteer, who says she has regained a lot of poise and self-confidence in recent weeks. In fact, she has even signed up to volunteer in a local charity shop. For years, she felt like a slave trapped at home – now she’s meeting new people all the time and it’s made a massive difference.”
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