This week, we’d like to help Tala and her 4 children. Tala’s 16 year old son has disabilities and she is his full-time carer. He has severe learning difficulties, is non-verbal and is unable to do anything for himself.

Tala was in an abusive marriage for 27 years. He physically abused her, even during her pregnancies. He was controlling, made her sleep on the floor, left her home alone with the children for weeks at a time and repeatedly told her he regretted marrying her and that he felt embarrassed to be with her. 

Tala’s self-esteem and mental health are at rock bottom, but she has managed to separate from him. With a court order, he was forced to leave the house but he is making life incredibly difficult for them all. He ran up thousands of pounds worth of debts in Tala’s name so her children are struggling. They have an older daughter who is 23, and he also bought things on finance in her name. He won't help financially at all, and makes regular threats against Tala.

Tala struggles to care for her son on her own, as he is very heavy and strong, but her husband rarely helped - meaning Tala has been left with injuries from doing it on her own. 

Tala said: “I cannot express how much pain I have experienced during the relationship with my husband. Although I feel a weight has lifted from my shoulders since he left, I am so worried about the future of my family."

Tala has a science degree and has always wanted to work in that field, but she has never had the chance. At the moment, she just wants to be able to stay safe, care for her children and provide what they need.

They don’t have a working cooker or freezer and struggle just to cover the basics. Tala has a support worker, and is getting advice on how she can manage the debts. But in the meantime, she really needs help. We’d love to replace their broken appliances, provide some clothes for the children, grocery vouchers to take some pressure off them, and anything else they need.