Is it ok living in bare minimum?

sweetilemon

When we originally moved in our oven/hob wasnt wired up. We were given a griddle (george forman type thing). We just grilled most things on it. Ate chicken wraps, sausages, pannis, toasties etc. If you can aquire something like that, maybe a toaster/ microwave from freecycle it would give you time to sort out a cooker. We still live with a fridge with a tiny freezer compartment (bit broken though). Not ideal as i'd like to freeze more but it works. It'll take time to build up posessions but aslong as you and your son are clean warm and fed the rest will come. Just don't be afraid to ask for support.

mrshappy

wiggywoo9 wrote: »

I was worried about health visitors etc as I'd be embarassed for people to see it?

I wouldn't worry about that at all OP, when you register your son with a local GP the HV will probably get in touch and as others have said she should have lots of info, in our area we have charities for furniture, but only health and social work can refer to them.

Brighton_belle

The OP doesn't drive/ have a car which does make collecting big goods from freecycle very difficult and much less of an obvious solution.

(Still worth a try OP,someone may offer to deliver)

jayII

mrshappy wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about that at all OP, when you register your son with a local GP the HV will probably get in touch and as others have said she should have lots of info, in our area we have charities for furniture, but only health and social work can refer to them.

We have this system in my area (north east England) too. Some of the charities also do home decorating and gardening (the charity supplies all the materials) for families who need it. They're usually very nice, non-judgemental, and helpful.

I'm sure you and your little boy will be fine, the fact that you are concerned shows what a good mum you are.

Mojisola

Brighton_belle wrote: »

The OP doesn't drive/ have a car which does make collecting big goods from freecycle very difficult and much less of an obvious solution.

(Still worth a try OP,someone may offer to deliver)

If she asks politely, some people will deliver. I've done that for some people who couldn't have managed to collect.

One was asking for a bed and put in her post that she couldn't collect because of her disability and the other asked for something I was offering but could only collect if I lived on a bus route so I dropped it off for her.

pigpen

I would, money allowing, carpet the main living room. Just so your little one had someone clean and warm and comfy to play during the day, everywhere else can wait but that 1 thing would be important for me.

I am sure any HV worth their salt would be aware you cannot have a perfect house shortly after moving in especially when it is your first home.

You will be surprised what people will offer when you move. We had allsorts from sofas and cupboards to crockery and pans.. don't turn anything down unless you have several already because you can always pass on your excess to others in need through freecycle or your HV for example.

You will be just fine!

jayII

pigpen wrote: »

I would, money allowing, carpet the main living room. Just so your little one had someone clean and warm and comfy to play during the day, everywhere else can wait but that 1 thing would be important for me.

I am sure any HV worth their salt would be aware you cannot have a perfect house shortly after moving in especially when it is your first home.

You will be surprised what people will offer when you move. We had allsorts from sofas and cupboards to crockery and pans.. don't turn anything down unless you have several already because you can always pass on your excess to others in need through freecycle or your HV for example.

You will be just fine!

That's a really good point, in my area you can only request things on Freecycle once you've donated something. It may be the same elsewhere, so definitely worth having things to offer, to get the ball rolling.

BitterAndTwisted

Brighton_belle wrote: »

The OP doesn't drive/ have a car which does make collecting big goods from freecycle very difficult and much less of an obvious solution.

(Still worth a try OP,someone may offer to deliver)

Not having access transport is a handicap when responding to offers on Freecycle.

However charities like the British Heart Foundation do have a delivery service. At least, the one nearest to me does and their charges are very reasonable. Like a tenner

LannieDuck

WW9, well done on everything you've accomplished so far. I'm really impressed with how well you've managed such a massive upheaval. You're doing brilliantly - you have a permanent home for your LO, away from all the negativity and criticism of your family, and you can continue to go to college and build a good life for you and your baby.

Material goods are far less important, and can be built up over time. Your LO has shelter, food and love. Everything else is a bonus.

pigpen

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Not having access transport is a handicap when responding to offers on Freecycle.

However charities like the British Heart Foundation do have a delivery service. At least, the one nearest to me does and their charges are very reasonable. Like a tenner

Ooh.. this reminded me, if you look on FB there are often groups with local delivery people who will courier small items very very cheaply or free if you ask them nicely. If they are driving A to B a small stop off at C is no issue for many, a lot of people start off with nothing at all.

It restores your faith in humanity how generous some people can be.