An Edinburgh mum has spoken of her heartbreak as the cost of living crisis has robbed her of time she could spend with her kids as she struggles with debt.
Mercy is one of thousands of people in the city that are facing problems from making difficult financial decisions all the way up to experiencing homelessness.
The rate at which the cost of food, gas, electricity, fuel and other expenses are rising has caused concern for Bethany Christian Trust.
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The charity not only helps individuals once they become homeless but also tries to prevent households or individuals from becoming homeless in the first place.
As a result of the crisis, Bethany’s has launched an appeal highlighting the impact rapidly rising living costs are having on the individuals and communities they support.
The charity reports that many of the people who use their services are facing impossible choices every day, as the rising cost of energy, food and essentials stretch already tight budgets even further.
Mum of three, Mercy, described how these costs are affecting her family: “I work in a hospital and I’ve got three children. I’m a single parent. Everything is hand to mouth at the moment, which is hard. How are you going to survive with a family of three? It’s really, really heartbreaking.
“As I’m speaking my energy bills are going up. I wanted to swap providers to save money, but because of my debt, I can’t. I just went shopping this morning and prices are going up but my salary is not.
“As a mum, I try to make the kids feel happy but the increase in food, electricity… I have to do extra shifts but before my pay is in my account it’s already gone.
“You don't have time for the kids when you’re working 12 hour shifts. They come back from school and wait for me. Not having family time is draining.”
The hospital worker described how support from Bethany has helped her: “I was in crisis, I needed someone to talk to. I spoke to my kids’ school and they introduced me to a family support worker from Bethany.
“Opening up and speaking to someone about my situation really helped - Bethany has made such a difference!
“When we needed a bed, they were there for me. When I needed to decorate, they were there. Bethany’s support workers are part of the family. The support has been very, very special for us.”
Bethany’s say that they currently support around 7,000 people every year in Scotland, and they work to tackle the causes of homelessness as well as supporting those without a home.
Services like Gateway help to provide practical support to families and individuals in crisis, such as providing furniture and essentials for a new tenancy, or replacing white goods that have broken down.
Felicity Fyall, a community development worker based in Edinburgh, has been working with families in the Wester Hailes community that are in danger of slipping through the cracks.
She said: “I work in homelessness prevention. Our part of Bethany is about ensuring that people don't get to that stage where they are having to present to the council as homeless or go into homeless accommodation.
“Everyone is so worried about debt and bills are crazy at the moment with many people in danger of slipping through the net.
“After the pandemic it has become so much worse.
“You meet all kinds of people in the community facing a host of issues. There are so many fantastic facilities in the local area helping people from food banks to other more niche support groups but it is also worrying that there is so much need for these services.
“It shouldn’t be like this but it is a sad reality.
“I run a small women's group in the Calders and one of the main issues we are seeing is the soaring cost of electricity and gas.
“A few of the women in our group come from sheltered housing and are a bit older. They are really struggling to keep warm and are having to decide between eating and heating.
“One lady said to me that she has not been able to put the heating on and it means that at times she has to decide between sitting in a cold flat or having shower because she cannot afford both.
“Another woman told me that her son sits with the duvet wrapped around him as he cannot risk putting the heating on.”
She says that people who rely on topping up their energy via cards and keys are at a disadvantage from customers that are able to pay by direct debit - as direct debits are discounted.
She says that there are multiple foodbanks, pantries and other services that are relied upon by a myriad of people and that it is not only the traditional demographic that has been left to rely upon support services as people’s purse strings have become hammered over the pandemic.
Felicity says that it is a vicious cycle that is forcing people further into poverty.
She added: “Some people are living with no electricity for a few days as they wait for their benefits to come in and are forced to spend their days at a friend's house in order to survive.
“A lot of the people we work with are also unable to access emails or phone their energy providers when bills go up, as they either don’t have the technical skills or have run out of credit on their phone.
“There have been occasions where I have offered my mobile to those we help to try to get them the answers they need.
“A lot of individuals don't have the understanding to navigate the system and therefore they are trapped in this cycle of debt and poverty that will only put them in more uncomfortable positions.”
Felicity believes that there has been a period of reprieve for a lot of households as evictions, bills and many other things were put on hold during the pandemic.
But she fears that matters could escalate once energy companies and housing providers begin to catch up and eviction bans come to an end.
She says that there were a number of Wester Hailes residents already struggling through the pandemic but that now they are close to breaking point - with fears that winter is coming with the higher costs that accompany that time of year.
She continued: “A lot of folk are struggling but people are fearful for the winter that is coming - with the price of heating and eating rising further - it is a big fear.
“I spoke to someone who has been diagnosed with an illness and who has had to go to the hospital for the last two months for treatment.
“But as well as worrying about her treatment she is worried about trying to recover at home with no heating and not enough money for food.
“Ourselves and the various community food banks and services can refer her for some electricity vouchers but that only gets you so far and can only be relied upon so much.
“A lot of people are worried that if they get so many top ups then they will run out of help. And to be honest we do not have endless amounts of money to give out - we have a few food vouchers here and there - even though there are some amazing organisations all around Wester Hailes that try to help families through the cost of living crisis.
“Not only this but they are also trying to help with mental health or addiction issues.
“The sad reality however is that they don’t have the capacity to support the demand.
“It is a lot of work just to help one individual case and a lot of resources.
“Vouchers are essentially just a sticking plaster but it is not solving the societal and economic issues that run a lot deeper.
“It is great there are these services but when you sit down with someone properly and say what are you left with, the answer is harrowing.
“I have this one family where a single mum and her three kids have a lot coming in when looking at benefits etc but then you find out the cost of the heating, leccy, food shop and general cost of living and what you are left with is maybe £10-15.
“People in more affluent communities don't think about extras - kids' birthdays or activities.
“It can be a difficult existence when having to borrow for presents or even a small activity or treat for the kids. When they are down to their last penny they are forced to borrow again.
“Families are embarrassed about coming down and getting help, the problem needs to be tackled.
“The amazing spaces that help vulnerable people in Wester Hailes can only do so much.”
Cameron Black, director of crisis intervention, at Bethany’s said: “Existing fuel poverty, food poverty and financial hardship in communities are being further exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis, increasing the risk that people will become homeless.
“As one of many complex contributing factors, the cost-of-living crisis is making life harder for households that are already stretched to their limit; it is a huge concern.”
With living costs already pushing people into crisis, Bethany’s ‘The Real Cost of Living’ appeal is asking supporters to help them reach people before they lose their homes.
Donations to the appeal can be made here.
