This week, we would like to help a young woman called Teresa, from London.

When Teresa was a little girl she was abused by her dad, and her mum had mental health issues, so she was put into care. Teresa is 18 now and has 2 children of her own, aged 3 months and 14 months.

She is out of the care system and lives on her own now, with some support from a social worker. Her children’s father is supportive but doesn't live with them.

Teresa’s health visitor told me she is a wonderful mum, very gentle and patient despite the difficult circumstances she has been living in.

Last week, the health visitor spent some time with Teresa, and experienced what her daily life was like. She saw first hand the challenges she faces. Her main concerns were about the safety of the children - there are things that need to be made safe in her house but she simply can’t afford to do them.

There is a large opening to her kitchen, which needs to be gated, but an ordinary stair gate won’t fit. They have tried to get funding for a larger stair gate without any success, but the only solution they’ve found to push the sofa across the doorway, so Teresa has to climb in and out of the kitchen, and her toddler has started to copy her.

She also in needs protective film for glass in the bedroom doors, as it isn’t safety glass.

The other thing Teresa needs help with is a special cot. Her 3 month old baby will soon grow out of the moses basket, but her 14 month old still needs to be in the cot. Her flat is very small wth no space for 2 cots. So they are in need of cot bunks, which are expensive and way beyond anything Teresa could possibly afford.  

Teresa is very much in need of kindness. She is doing her but, but some support would make a huge difference to her life and that of her children.