When I escaped a controlling and violent partner I left behind my home, job and friends. I didn’t want my son to grow up around the abuse.
We lived in a Refuge for nearly a year before we were able to get a flat. I was excited about getting our own place, but I was scared because it was completely empty and I didn’t have the money to make my son a comfy home. I didn’t even have a bed for him.
The HFS store was a lifeline. I was able to find furniture I could afford. HFS also gave us a “starter pack” which had all the basics I needed to cook, clean and wash.