"I now feel able to cope. I don't feel that numbness inside."

Sean* had been struggling ever since the death of their mother. Surviving on their savings, they had to seek support from their local Foodbank and luckily were put in touch with Crosslight Advice. Here, Sean shares their story…

When my mother died during Covid, I had no family left to support me. Since early adulthood, my mental health had affected my ability to manage and stabilise my finances. My mother had always helped when my health deteriorated. I now felt completely alone and I went into Mental Health Crisis.

I was no longer in employment and had been supplementing benefits with my savings. At the time I was referred to Crosslight, my savings had run out and I was having to use my foodbank each week. The foodbank introduced me to my Crosslight Debt Advisor.

I immediately felt relief - I was no longer alone with this huge burden. My advisor helped me see the situation without terror. Additionally, I had been given a Crosslight leaflet by the foodbank, so I was able to access the help Crosslight gives online. I worked through the money courses Crosslight offers and I had already started to work on my budgets before meeting my debt advisor.

I now understand how my emotional relationship with money had so adversely affected my relationship with it. My advisor has helped me put my budget in order and we are currently waiting to hear from the last of my creditors. I now feel able to cope. I don't feel that numbness inside.