Bedford mother and carer of disabled son facing eviction due to financial pressures
She's having to choose between putting the heating on or food on the table, with no guarantee of keeping a roof over their heads
The mum of a 19-year-old from Bedford is among many carers across the country who're struggling to make ends meet, and is now facing eviction.
Lorraine has spent the past six years caring full-time for her 19-year-old son, Mickey, who suffers from chronic pain and limited mobility due to a damaged nerve syndrome diagnosed when he was 13.
Lorraine now provides 24-hour care, seven days a week, assisting with tasks many take for granted, such as cooking and bathing.
"It's degrading at the end of the day, it really is because you do feel like a second rate citizen..."
Speaking to Greatest hits Radio, she said: "Financially, it is extremely, extremely hard. you get to the point where you have to choose either food or pay your bills. Now my utility bills have gone up quite considerably. But the income I have coming in doesn't, so there has to be a breaking point."
"At some point you think 'I have to do food this week' so the bills get left, and of course when it comes to paying them again, you've got extra to pay. So you're in the same situation again where you haven't got the money to do that."
"It's degrading at the end of the day, it really is because you do feel like a second rate citizen, that's how it makes you feel."
Before caring for Mickey, Lorraine was already a carer for her older son, who is autistic. The increased demands forced her to focus solely on Mickey, while leaving her previous employment to focus on care duties.
After 19 years in her current home, her landlady has put the property up for sale, leaving Lorraine on a month-to-month lease with no stability or guarantee for the future.
And with only £81 per week in carer's allowance, she is having to choose between putting food on the table and paying for overdue bills, with the prospect of eviction.
Lorraine said: "Nobody can live on a month to month basis, and even if I could just get put on the housing list, it would be something, but they won't even do that. So it's it really is a case of just waiting for that day to come. And then I have to sit here, go through the courts to get an eviction notice, which at the end of the day doesn't do my credit rating any good."
"It doesn't do any financial future any good to be evicted and it's it's soul destroying."
"...obviously it does have an impact on your own mental health as well..."
While her son receives a disability allowance, his future could be at stake with current financial pressures, which on occasion forces them to use some of the funds immediately.
Both have been relying on local help from charities, including Carers In Beds, who have been supporting Lorraine through mental health challenges.
"I've had the Carers at Bedford who have supported me emotionally because obviously it does have an impact on your own mental health as well, and they've been absolutely brilliant."
"Without them, I don't know what I would do and they've also supported me with the food bank, which unfortunately I've had to use on several occasions", she added.
According to the recent Carers Survey 2023, carers are facing increasing financial difficulties compared to two years ago. This financial strain has contributed to a decline in mental health among carers.
While the charity Carers In Beds celebrates 20 years since it was founded, Lorraine's story highlights the need for such organisations to exist and continue to grow, with many more families and carers facing similar challenges.
You can find out more information on their website.