“Isla” is a resilient young mum who was starting her own business when she got pregnant with her son. Following serious complications, her son was born prematurely (Jan 2019) and he had several medical issues which made it impossible for Isla to resume her work and from establishing her business. Her relationship with the baby’s father broke down and he has not had any contact with him, even though Isla would like the baby to grow up seeing his dad and establishing a positive relationship. Isla’s current boyfriend has recently decided to leave the family home as the relationship also deteriorated during the lockdown. The finances are very tight and she is pregnant. Isla thinks that the financial difficulties and the pressure on them as a couple, got worse due to COVID-19.
Isla is the only daughter of Glenys who lives on her own and has struggled lately with dementia and mental health issues. According to Isla, Glenys has always had mental health issues, but dementia signs are now more concerning for her as she is the only daughter and carer. Glenys’ GP was in the process of referring her to the specialist for assessment and treatment when COVID-19 started and Glenys’ diagnosis and support is still unclear. The hospital appointment has been delayed until further notice and Isla has been told that it could take up to 3 months to get an appointment for the specialist to see her mum. Isla was told to isolate/shield with her son from the virus and not to leave her house because of her being on the “high risk category” (pregnant, with baby who has had several health issues). However, she was extremely worried for her mum, who also received a letter from the NHS and government saying that given her age and pre-existing heath condition, she should also isolate/shield from the virus and was not to go out of her house.
With both Isla and her mum living away from each other (Hersham / Cobham) and unable to leave their homes, Isla called Oasis panicking about not having any food (except some that kind neighbours had taken to her doorstep); equally, she was worried about her mum who couldn’t go out / walk to the shops and sounded more confused over the phone.
Oasis offered support by delivering fresh food parcels on a weekly basis to both households (Isla and her mum’s) as well as food bank deliveries (every two weeks) of non-perishable items, toiletries, nappies, etc. Oasis assigned a specific volunteer for Glenys, so she could recognise her and buzz the intercom when looking through the window. Glenys gets very anxious (even before COVID) about people buzzing the intercom as she lives in a building where other vulnerable people live (elderly and disabled people).
Oasis has also offered outreach support through regular weekly phone calls to alleviate loneliness and discuss Isla’s concerns and help in any way possible (e.g. access to Moses basket and various other items in preparation for the birth, etc.). Isla is also receiving weekly Life-Coach sessions and she’s now feeling more confident about the plans for the birth (due in early July 2020) even in the event where her ex-boyfriend decides not to be involved or cannot be involved (no visitors allowed in hospitals). She has been able to make alternative arrangements, plan and prepare a bit more, and feels now more in control of her current situation. Hopefully, her financial situation will become more stable once her benefits application is processed, although she is likely to need further – longer term support.
Isla has started to reflect about how her life has been impacted and changed since the beginning of 2020. She said that her situation at the beginning of COVID-19 lockdown was “impossible”. She needed to respond to her very clingy 18 month old baby (related to early poor health); she was left on her own after the relationship broke down; she was pregnant was feeling emotionally and financially very vulnerable. In addition, she had her mum with deteriorating health issues (very confused and vulnerable too). Both Isla and her mum were told to isolate/shield themselves due to being in the “high risk/extremely vulnerable” population and so, they were unable to go out to buy essentials (even when many items not available in the shops at the beginning of the lockdown). Accessing the fresh food delivered by Oasis and also having deliveries of non-perishable food & toiletries, nappies, etc. from the food bank in Cobham, was crucial and essential during the COVID-19 crisis. In the same way, having emotional support through her late pregnancy, relationship breakdown and confinement with a demanding 18 month old in a small flat, has been essential to maintain her emotional wellbeing at this time.
