I can’t keep going the way I’m going. My state of mind is deteriorating”
Sara is 57 years old and has been homeless for two years. She currently lives in a hotel and before that, lived in a B&B for nine months following a period of sofa surfing.
Sara is diabetic and prescribed insulin, as well as a food management plan, but recently she was hospitalized for four days due to a diabetic episode where her blood sugar was dangerously low.
There are no cooking facilities in the hotel where Sara is living so she’s been provided with a fridge for her room so she can safely store her insulin. She regularly spends a night or two at her sister’s when she’s unwell so that she can rest and eat well.
“I usually go to my sisters for food. She cooks for me and gives me sandwiches in case I need to eat in the night. She worries that I won’t be able to find food when I need it and I’ll have a diabetic attack.”
Sara has mobility issues and needs an adapted property. Her Occupational Therapist has written to the council to confirm that they could pay for and arrange adaptations to an existing property, but this has not sped up her move on.
Sara finds the hotel stressful, particularly at night when it gets noisy. The hotel staff say that it is not their responsibility to make Sara feel safe and have told her that she’s not really homeless if she’s able to stay on her sister’s sofa.
There are many people in situations like Sara’s, people who are stuck in unsuitable and unstable temporary accommodation while waiting for a permanent home that meets their needs.
You can help by signing our letter to the First Minister of Wales asking her to make sure that the Welsh Government are taking all the steps possible to provide the homes we need so that Sara, and others like her, aren’t trapped in hotels and B&Bs.
At Shelter Cymru we believe everyone in Wales should have the right to a safe, secure, suitable and affordable home. It is the foundation for the health and wellbeing of people and communities. Home is everything.
