Melanie

Melanie* and her children’s father had been fighting for years. She wanted something different for her children, but didn’t know where to turn or what to do. The Police directed her to Iosis.

Initially Melanie found it hard to open up to strangers about such personal matters. But, bit by bit, the Iosis social worker gained her trust. First the social worker made sure Melanie and her children were in a safe environment, and that Melanie received appropriate financial support until she could get a job. Together they worked on finding accommodation.

The family, though still separated, is now settled. Melanie and her ex-partner have each sought help with anger management. They now communicate better and seek to put their children’s needs ahead of their own.

“If I didn’t find this place, who knows where I would be?” says Melanie. “Probably still stuck. Because I was stuck for so many years in the same pattern.”

* Name changed to protect privacy. The photo is of a model.