This week, we’d like to help 5 children who were found living in terrible conditions. Their mum has been struggling with her mental health and had been avoiding contact with family members since the first lockdown.

When she finally let them visit, they found her and the children living in a dreadful state.

The house was filled with rubbish and old food, every piece of furniture was damaged and stained, and there were no working toilets. The children were all sleeping on a sofa, and the older children were caring for the youngest, who is just 1 year old. 

The children’s social worker described the living conditions as one of the worst she has ever seen.

The mum is in hospital at the moment, as she had a severe infection and had to have surgery. The children were placed into temporary accommodation, with extended family members taking it in turns to care for them. The extended family have been incredible, and even gave the children a pretend ‘Christmas Day’ as they hadn’t had the chance to have a proper one. Without them, the children would have been placed into care. It is hoped that, with social services and the family now aware of what's going on, the mum will get the support she needs to be able to care for the children.

Their home is being repaired, and the family members have taken on the huge task of clearing it all out. But it’s going to be left almost completely empty. With your help, we would like to fill it with everything they need before the children return, to give them a fresh start.