Coping with the stress of a crowded home
Angela Colquhoun and her family are desperately waiting to be rehoused since her two children from her first marriage moved in with her, partner Craig Blackett and their three-year-old daughter Natasha.
Angela (41) suffers chronic arthritis, fibromyalgia and t rigeminal neuralgia, meaning Craig is her fulltime carer.
Now that Jack ( 12) and 11- year- old Rebecca have joined them in their twobedroom flat since their father died from cancer, the family has been pushed to breaking point.
Which is why Home-Start send volunteer Sonia to give a helping hand once a week.
The charity has also arranged for Natasha to go to a childminder to give Angela a break. They have helped organise a play therapist for Rebecca and anger management counselling for Jack, who are grieving for their father in different ways.
And the family is just back from a week-long break in Fort William, thanks to Home-Start Stirling.
Angela said: “I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to thank them for what they’ve done for us.
“Whenever I need them, I know I can pick up the phone and someone is there to help.
“We’re still overcrowded and desperately hoping for a new council house.
“But we’d be so much worse without Home-Start. They see the stresses we’re under and find the services and help we need to make life easier so we can cope.”