John’s Story
John is a 57 old male year old living in Sefton with his two dogs. He had been doing everything he could to stay afloat and paying off his debts bit by bit at the cost of his essentials. But no matter how hard he tried, the arrears kept piling up.
He wasn’t just facing unpaid bills; John was carrying years of hardship and complex issues. A testament to his resilience, John had overcome homelessness, family estrangement, and a history Class A drug use.
John has now been clean for seven years. He has worked hard to find strength in the small things and build a stable life, taking long walks with his dogs and listening to music music to maintain his emotional stability.
In spite of his strength, money worries and poor health has been a persistent issue. His referral to the Mind & Money programme via Citizens Advice Sefton was a turning point in his journey.
How Did The Mind & Money Programme Help?
John’s limited literacy and computer skills were a barrier to him accessing help, but with the support of a dedicated advisor, they began to untangle the issues that had been weighing him down.
He received help not just with finances, but with navigating benefits, housing, and accessing health support. Bit by bit, things started to shift.
John is now on track to become debt-free. His council tax arrears have reduced from £2,611 to £189 after his advisor helped him to correcting errors and apply an attachment of benefits.
His monthly income has increased substantially, alleviating the constant stress he once felt.
John has also received support in exploring a move to a more suitable home, which could provide both financial relief, emotional peace, and greater stability for his pets. His risk of relapse has reduced, he has reconnected with his GP and is taking steps to prioritise his health. Most importantly, John feels more stable, hopeful, and empowered.
John still walks his dogs and finds comfort in music, but now he does it with a lighter heart, knowing he’s no longer facing everything alone.
Get in touch
Know someone feeling overwhelmed by financial responsibilities? We help those in the Liverpool city region (St Helens, Liverpool, Halton, Sefton and Knowsley) with issues such as energy bill debt, grant applications, food vouchers, budgeting help and more.
Contact our team on 0151 706 0113 or hello@thewo.org.uk to be referred for assistance. You can find out more about the Mind & Money Programme here.
