‘I want to help you to break free of the mess’
MUM OFFERING TO CLEAN HOMES FOR FREE FOR PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH THEIR MENTAL HEALTH
A SINGLE mum from Halifax is offering free home help to locals struggling with their mental health and subsequently finding it difficult to keep on top of their housework.
Bethany Langton, 28, knows all too well how overwhelming it can be to get yourself back on track after you have found yourself in a position of letting things slip at home due to poor mental health. The mum of three, who is a carer for her eldest son, has struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts most of her life and at her lowest points admits her home was “in a terrible state.”
Bethany said: “Living in mess is debilitating, not being able to clean or have the energy to get up is debilitating.” Thankfully, Bethany sought help from her best friend, Holly Robinson, who owns a cleaning company, and managed to get back on track.
And now, after managing to get on top of her mental health, Bethany has reached out to help others who may have found themselves in the same position she was, after recognising the impact your surroundings can have on your mental health.
Bethany said: “Since I was a child I suffered depression, but it wasn’t until I was 19, and my son was 1, that I was diagnosed and put on medication. Through the years my depression was up and down.
“At the worst points my house was in a terrible state. I was a young mother, I had my son just after my 18th birthday.
“At two points in my life I became suicidal, I never made plans to do this but certainly thought about it. I felt like a failure to my kids. I have been hurt, abandoned, mistreated and abused which worsened my depression.
“Living in mess is debilitating, not being able to clean or have the energy to get up is debilitating. I have my best friend, Holly Robinson who owns a cleaning business ‘Make Your House Sparkle With Holly’ and she helped me on a few occasions to get the worst of the mess cleaned up.
“I paid her because I could afford, but many people cannot afford to do this. The cost of living crisis has fortunately not hit me that hard, but for others it has.
“I know the feeling of keeping the curtains closed so no one can see inside, of not wanting to let anyone inside through fear of judgement, and even the fear of being slammed as a unfit parent and the social being called.
“It took me years to climb out of depression, although my house can become messy again it is nothing compared to what it was. Being alone with three kids is hard, adding two special needs kids is even harder.
“So many people struggle and hide away. But they don’t need to. I want to help those struggling with mess to come forward, to accept my help. I don’t judge anyone on their home, I know how bad it can get. I constantly had people telling me ‘it’s disgusting’ or ‘clean your house.’ But did they offer help? No. Did they think about why it’s this way? No. They just commented and walked out.
“This made me spiral further into depression. I can see through the mess, right to the source of it. I’m not qualified to help with those issues, but I can make life a little easier. When my house is clean my mood is better. There are so many reasons people can’t face clean
ing, mental health, injury, old age.”
Bethany has offered to help those in need for free. She posted on her local Facebook community group, Elland Banter to offer her services.
The 28-year-old said: “I have had two people come forward for help so far and they are now booked in for a clean. I have purchased cleaning supplies, the client will not pay a penny for my service. I will not accept payment, I am there to help.
“For those who can afford I refer onto my best friend who has fair prices. I have had interest from others offering their assistance, so once more people come forward I can recruit more volunteers and get more people in a better place.
“People underestimate how a clean house can improve mental health. The idea came when I was sat in bed, after cleaning my house, I thought back to when my house wasn’t just messy, but dirty.
“I began thinking about how many people are still struggling. I decided to make a Facebook post offering my help, I didn’t expect much to come from it but over 150 loved the idea, many offering to help too in their free time.
“If I can make someone else’s life a little easier I’ve done what I set out to do. People need help, they don’t need to be embarrassed or ashamed. They do not need to fear reaching out to me. I’ve been there. I know it’s not their fault. They can break free of the mess. “Their lives can get better, I will help them do this. I plan to begin my services properly at the beginning of June, this gives me time to get all the necessary cleaning products ready. They do not have to provide anything. I hope people come forward and accept my help, there’s no need to be afraid of asking. It’s the strongest thing you can do, and they are strong.”
Bethany said she has always had a desire to help people but up until now she hasn’t known how to.
She added: “I have dreams of being a midwife or neonatal nurse, but without a support system, uni would be impossible right now. When my kids are older I intend to live my dream.”
Bethany adds she has a current and clean DBS check and no criminal convictions, and urges anyone in need of help to reach out to her.
Living in mess is debilitating, not being able to clean or have the energy to get up is debilitating Bethany Langton