Help needed please!!

bensonsmum

Quite a long story im afraid!!

My son who is 24 has as drug problem and has tried really hard for the past six months to get himself sorted and off the drugs - he was using the stuff they call Miaow and also cannabis and also other stuff as well i presume - but pleased to say NOT heroin! Talking to him i would say he is also depressed and has no get up and go and is finding it really hard to mix socially and is always in tears - which i find heart breaking.
he went to councilling and to a place called "Turning Point" who have really helped him and im pleased to say he is (or was) doing really well now.
One of the things he was told at "Turning Point" was that he needed to get away from the circle of so called friends and acquintances and make a fresh start away from the drug scene he is involved in. So he found himself somewhere else to live which is over 100 miles away from our home town. The housing association told him six weeks before he eventually got to move that the place was definately his, he was at the time claiming JSA and they were sending him for interviews in our local area, he tried to explain to them that he was moving and he needed to seek out work where he was going to be living in six weeks and not where he is now, the outcome of this is they that put "Sanctions" on his claim as they said they couldn't send him for interviews outside of his local area. They put him onto some other benefit which gave him approx £50 a fortnight to live.
He has now moved and in his new flat, he has nothing in it apart from a sofa and a microwave and is really struggling. He received a cheque this week for £51 odd which is suspose to last him for two weeks i think it was what they call a hardship payment, but not exactly sure?
He cashed the cheque and had his money in his pocket somewhere between cashing it and getting to the supermarket to get in some food he lost it!!!! stupid i know, i have reported the loss to the police but obviously they dont hold up much hope, but hopefully you never know there might be some honest person out there who found it - im living in hope. I rang about trying to get him a crisis lone as he has one microwave meal left to last him the fortnight and approx £2 left on his electric, they have said there is nothing they can do as he is on a "sanction". Im really worried about him he has next to nothing left to eat and not anywhere near enough left on his electric, when i rang him this morning he was in tears yet again and saying "whats the point - mum? i might as well not be here", i know it was really stupid to lose that money, but i am so worried about him, he has been trying really hard this past fortnight since he has moved and filling out job application forms, when i ring him every day we go through the forms together and i help him to fill them in, he hasn't heard anything back yet but its obviously early days.
I know a lot of people will say that he has bought all this upon himself, but im his mum and really worried about him. Does anyone know of where i can seek help for him please?

PasturesNew

Find out if there are any food banks locally. Apparently CAB have some lists.

http://www.eauk.org/idea/launch-of-food-banks.cfm
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/britain-on-the-breadline-families-join-food-queue-966256.html

Phone his local Doctor, see if he's got any vouchers to give.

newmee

Didn't want to read and run but cannot offer much apart from my sincere sympathy and admiration to you both. Can Turning Point not offer any advice? The benefits agency them selves will of course be less than helpful but check if there is a DIAL in your area, which is a charity who advise on all benefit claims and entitlement and help with form filling etc.
Good luck x

Oldernotwiser

Sorry to be pessimistic, but are you really sure that he lost it? If he was my son I'd be really worried that this wasn't the case.

bensonsmum

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Sorry to be pessimistic, but are you really sure that he lost it? If he was my son I'd be really worried that this wasn't the case.

Im really!! sure he has lost it, no matter what he has done in the past he has always told me the truth when ive asked him, even if i don't like what he has done or is doing - he does tell me the truth!!

He-s not looking to get any money all he wants (or should i say needs) is some food in his cupboard and electric for light etc, he doesn't use it for heat he says too expensive just wraps himself up in lots of layers and his quilt.

I know what your saying and as i said earlier most people will say hes bought it on himself, but most people go through a bad stage in their lifes, i just think he doesn't need to be continually punished for it ! xx

tod123

I know a lot of people will say that he has bought all this upon himself, but im his mum and really worried about him. Does anyone know of where i can seek help for him please?

Can you help your son at all?

Mojisola

For food, he could try asking at the local churches. Many will provide food or vouchers for meals.

bensonsmum

tod123 wrote: »

Can you help your son at all?

I have just spoken to him apparently he can get help if he can get to "Warminster" he is actually in Frome, i don't know how they expect him to get there?

I am still trying to work out ways of helping him and obviously will do what i can but with him being over 100 miles away its not that easy!!

God i wish he was still back at home where i could help him but the distance doesn't really help.

When i spoke to him he was going around the local shops and businessess asking for work, but no joy so far!!

RAS

Hi

In emergencies:

1. Find out if there is a Sikh temple in walking distance. They offer food to all comers and I know folk at my own local actively encourage people who are in difficulties to go. It is courteous to keep their traditions, which means removing shoes at the entrance and covering your head. Scarves are available in the foyer.
2. Freeiganism or dumpster diving.
Go round the back or supermarkets and see what has been chucked out at the end of the day. When i was out with some folk the other week, they reported that Sainburys locally now spoiled their food but the local health food shop was good. The starbucks I walk past in the city often puts out sealed packs of sandwiches and once had kilos and kilos or coffee.
3. Local libraries will allow him to sign on and he may be able to get free internet access.
4. Frome market - the WI runs today, so there may be pickings to be had at the end of the day.
5. Sounds naff but check any telephone boxes for change?

Also

The Salvation Army

Green Park Road, Rode, Frome, Somerset BA11 6PH

Telephone: 01225 400051

They may know people he can contact.

Will find and post the links for the Furniture recyleing Network when I can

christabell

Just PM'd you.

Contact NA, CA or AA.

Ring NHS direct

Oldernotwiser

bensonsmum wrote: »

I am still trying to work out ways of helping him and obviously will do what i can but with him being over 100 miles away its not that easy!!

Couldn't you do an online food shop for him - at least you'll know that he has something to eat. Much better than giving him money.