This week, we’d like to help a 9-year-old girl called Katie.
Katie has recently been removed from her mum’s care due to physical abuse and has moved in with her dad, Simon.
As well as being abused by her mum, Katie also had to take on a lot of responsibilities that were far too much for someone her age. Her mum struggled with drugs and alcohol, so Katie spent a lot of time caring for her younger siblings (a baby and a toddler) and still worries about them now that she’s not there to look after them.
When she was removed from her mum’s care, her dad was living in shared accommodation that wasn’t suitable for Katie. She’s been staying with extended family waiting for him to secure housing for them both.
Simon had his own difficulties in the past, but with support from mental health services he’s doing much better. Katie’s social worker said Simon really wants to create a happy and safe home for Katie, and has a good support network around him now.
He has just secured a council flat for them to move into but, as you can see in the photos, it is very bare. After everything she has had to carry, we think Katie deserves a beautiful bedroom in a home that feels safe and comfortable. We’d love to create that for her.
*Name has been changed
