When Jorja first joined Family Action’s perinatal group, she was struggling to find her feet as a new mum, while caring full-time for her own mum, who had cancer. Family Action became an important source of support and community, and when money worries were added into the mix, thoughtful gifts for her two children from the Christmas Toy Appeal meant a lot to the family during a really hard time.
"You don’t have to say it’s from us” they said, “say it’s from you.” I was lost for words.
There was a lot going on when I was first referred to Family Action’s perinatal service. I felt like I wasn’t doing a good enough job, full of self-doubt and feeling down.
I sort of isolated myself, but I didn’t want to hold my daughter back from socialising and doing things kids her age should do, so I went to the first meeting – and I’ve been going ever since.
I was nervous at first, but they were so warm and welcoming at the perinatal group. They wanted to help and see where I needed extra support.
The support we needed
They didn’t push me or my daughter to do anything. She was shy at first, which other mums said was common. The staff let my daughter warm up in her own time, and now she runs happily around the room. Being there has helped both of us.
So, things went well at the service but, when it was nearly time for me to move on, I fell pregnant with my second child and, because of that, they decided to keep me in the group, which ended up being really helpful with what was about to happen.
My mum had been ill throughout this period – her second time with cancer. It was difficult as she used to be over all the time to help me out, and my daughter and her were very close. It was hard to watch her deteriorate and be in pain when my daughter wanted to play but she couldn’t.
I’m one of three children, but the other two couldn’t be there often, so I became a full-time carer. My partner took time off work to look after our daughter while I supported my mum with appointments, and he began attending the perinatal group. That went on for about a year, until I lost my mum in June.
My daughter kept asking, “Where’s Nana?”
She was only two, just starting to learn who people were beyond her mum and dad, and still saying “nana” all the time… how do you explain something like that to someone so young?
The perinatal group really helped take my mind off things. After losing my mum, I looked forward to going because I knew I had a support system. Everyone there was so kind — they all had cuddles with my newborn and were there to help out.
With losing my mum and my partner being out of work to support our family, we didn’t have a lot of money, and we were worrying about what we were going to do for Christmas.
Christmas Toy Appeal surprised us all
When I returned to the group after taking some time to scatter my mum’s ashes, my partner told me that our children had been given presents from Family Action’s Toy Appeal.
That was such a lovely surprise. It meant a lot.
Emma from Family Action’s perinatal service said, “you don’t have to say it’s from us – say it’s from you.”
I was a bit emotional about the gifts to be honest… I was lost for words.
My daughter was given a little play kitchen, and my son was given a toy train, the gifts were perfect because, as we’ve been there quite a long time, they know my daughter’s personality and what she loves.
I’ve struggled to ask for help in the past as my parents were hard workers who didn’t want to ask the world for anything, and I can be very hard on myself. So, when people help out like that, it’s really heartwarming. It’s a reminder that not everything is bad.
It’s not such a bad world after all.
Donate
Put a smile on a child’s face who has nothing this Christmas
Your gift will support families this Christmas and beyond
