Worried sick, put in impossible situation

soolin

gf3978114 said:

Im being housed further away by my own choice as its a better area and i left abuse so i had choice as to where  i go but i didnt realise this would be an implication of it ive been through a lot but i never imagined someone out there would see me put in a situation like that with nothing. The area ill be moving to is small and doesnt have freecycle ill be honest when i get there ill want to go to bed its a long journey and I wish i knew how to prepare for it so im not worrying about it

There’s always local groups, not necessarily freecycle, many are called other names, so there will be groups, you just need to search for them. 

propertyrental

freecycle

local auction house

charity shops

You can pick up stuff you need for peanuts.

Flugelhorn

moving can be exhausting but the thing is to aim for the absolute essentials - what are you taking with you? 

as others have said camping stuff can be useful - I have slept on airbeds while waiting for new beds to be delivered and am sure many have done similar - also folding chairs are usually available in charity shops etc 

gazfocus

I'm sorry for your situation but honestly, nothing about the situation strikes me as "inhumane". The council in the area you've chosen have offered you accommodation, which they didn't have to. It's time for you to stand on your own two feet and get the essentials together. 

As others have said, get an airbed or see if someone's selling a mattress in decent condition for what you can afford. The essentials I would say are a mattress/air bed, a chair/camping chair (I can't sit on the floor for too long without getting pins and needles), a fridge and a microwave. Everything else, you can build up over time.

JaniceUK

Are you on Facebook? If so, join some of the local groups now before you move. I live in a small village and we have several groups including one where people give stuff away for free. If you post that you are new to the area and have nothing, people are very generous in my experience and you should soon get some basic furniture and kitchen equipment to help you get started 

Flugelhorn

JaniceUK said:

Are you on Facebook? If so, join some of the local groups now before you move. I live in a small village and we have several groups including one where people give stuff away for free. If you post that you are new to the area and have nothing, people are very generous in my experience and you should soon get some basic furniture and kitchen equipment to help you get started 

absolutely agree with his ^ in our local area people from time to time say they are moving, often in difficult circumstances,  and have nothing and it is amazing what then appears for them. 

Liz1966

You are in a state of limbo at the moment and it is natural to worry about the future until you get to a postition of certainty with your new accommodation. Even so, there are things you can do to prepare.
If you are moving to a rural area there will still be groups and charities that can help but they may be located in the nearest big town rather than your village. There are likely to be people there who are used to helping people who don't have local contacts or easy transport. It's worth contacting the nearest Citizen's Advice Bureau who will be able to tell you more about help available in your new area. Other sources of information would be the nearest Food Bank to the area and voluntary groups who help people with disabilities.
If you can access facebook, alot of areas have 'buy nothing' groups that offer unwanted items for free and these are great of local contacts.

TBagpuss

One short term option may  to buy an airbed  which would be fairly portable and would allow you to rest as soon as you arrive - they are available from Tesco and Argos with prices starting at around £10 . I appreciate that money is tight but if you were to put even £5 a week aside starting now then this should give you enough to buy a few basics as soon as you arrive, and then you can gradually build from there. 

As you mentioned you were moving due to abuse - was this domestic abuse? IF so, are you in contact with any local support services? I know where I am the the local authority has links to services which source second hand furniture and white goods for people fleeing domestic abuse so it may be worth you making enquiries.

Once you arrive, as others have said, check for local freecycle or equivalent -  facebook groups for the town or village are one place to look, even if it is not formal, it's not unusual for people to offer things for sale / free. You can at that point also post on those kinds of groups to ask about any surplus items people may have and/or for advice about sourcing cheap / second hand stuff locally. 

You will also be able to see, once you arrive, what may be available locally - e.g. check out charity shops - BHF and the Salvation Army both have some stores which have second hand furniture, for example, and there may be others. Near me, for instance, there is a shop (I think it may be connected to the Emmaus charity) which  sells 2nd hand furniture and runs training for young people in restoration , so they accept donations of old/ broken furniture, repair it and then sell it .

It will probably take time for you to build up home contents but you don't need a lot to begin with (while it was for different reasons, when I first moved into a house of my own, I had nothing except an IKEA futon to sit/sleep on and a very elderly second hand fridge I bought for £20  - it was grim until I was gradually able to buy other things, and most of my furnishings did come from charity shops to begin with, but it is do-able.

Good luck

deannagone

Have you applied for or get PIP?  This is a benefit that often is there to fulfil the 'extra' expenses that go with having a disability.  But it would be a good idea to get guidance on how to apply, what you say when applying for PIP.  The CAB might help.  It would also help you deal with the 'extra expenses' you are being told aren't necessary.   I tend to buy ready meals quite cheaply (from supermarkets) and get them delivered.  Have you got a social worker?  I think they could help.

I am old school, but when I moved on my own (similar situation) into a one bed council property, I also had nothing, no oven, no bed, no mattress, no idea how to use anything.  There wasn't any support then (no grants) so I just had to manage.  And I did.  I did use a camping bed someone loaned me, got a second hand sofa, fridge, oven (ebay didn't even exist then and there were no charities to help). I am afraid, then, all I could afford was dirt cheap second hand items no one else would take. I remember the thrill when someone gave me a mattress, I put it on an ancient single wardrobe laid flat and there was my divan bed ha ha.  I used that for several years lol.  However, with Facebook etc there are more 'free' goods around now, but transport can be a challenge if you don't have any.  The Heart Foundation shops, if you speak to them will often have items in a back room that they supply more cheaply and will deliver.  But also explore charities that will help the homeless in the area you are looking to move to.  Try posting on a facebook page local to the area you will be moving to, people might be very helpful.

Are there any homeless charities in your area that can advise and support?  Or the CAB.  It sounds like you need some support to deal with these things.  I don't know what your disabilities are, but SCOPE can often advise on disability related issues.

Re PIP, if you don't already get it, I am afraid it won't be an instant answer as it takes a year plus to apply and get it.

I hope this helps.

theoretica

It sounds to me as though what you need is someone who knows the system and can reduce your uncertainty about what will be happening, make contact with local organisations and other help.  Perhaps the area specific advocacy service could help or put you in touch with someone appropriate?  https://www.siaa.org.uk/find-an-advocate/   Or maybe if you were in contact with an organisation about the abuse you experienced they could help find the right people for you to talk to.