Shelly’s Story – Limited Choices

I’m a single mother to a 9- and 6-year-old and have been a council tenant for 27 years. I split with my husband 3 years ago and since then it’s being nothing but a struggle. I have taken employment largely to fit around my children (in school times and when the dad has them). 

I lost my job because I could not afford the childcare out of school hours (nearly all my wages went to existing childcare in any case) and when my employer wanted more hours from me the cost of increased childcare was too much to bear. I think its fine when you can rely on your family or your spouse, but when you are alone these decisions are hard to make or take. I know plenty of single mothers who are in the same position. As a result, I lost that work. 

I am now in receipt of Carers Allowance and support an autistic lady for 35 hours each week. I have no choice but to take my children with me when I support this lady (particularly after school or in the annual holidays) and though I am far than comfortable with this, I have very little choice. 

I also have to pay for Taxis to get me to and from her residence as where she lives the local bus provision is erratic to say the least. 

I think that universal credit is focusing on the wrong people, in my opinion, I have seen many people who have no reason not to work but they don’t get forced into working. Yet single parents who want to work end up struggling to make ends meet with barely little support provision for their children.