A Northern Ireland mum says her family are now having to share baths so that they are "heating up less water".
With temperatures dropping and the cost-of-living soaring, the ongoing crisis is having a detrimental impact on the health and well-being of many families this winter. For many families with children across Northern Ireland, the last few months have been a time of added stress and worry as they’ve tried to balance the everyday basics of food and clothing with the costs associated with the holiday season.
More than two-thirds of staff at Barnardo's are currently supporting people in, or at risk of poverty and they're told how parents are trying their best, but are "crying out for help".
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Sarah*, a mother-of-two, recently received support from Barnardo’s through a family support service in Lisburn.
Things were already tough for the family before the crisis, as both of Sarah’s young children have additional needs and very specific dietary requirements. She is desperately worried about the cost of living as she tries to ensure that her children have everything that they need.
"There have been a lot of changes in the last year," she said.
"Everything is now double the price. We’re spending twice the amount on gas, electricity, and food shopping compared to the beginning of 2022 .
"We’ve been buying less. We also switch the lights and sockets off and we don’t put the heating on when the children are at school. We are now sharing baths, so we’re heating up less water."
Barnardo’s provided some financial support and food vouchers for Sarah and her family and she also received toys and a food hamper over Christmas.
She added: "We’d have been at a standstill without this support. My child’s health was declining, and I dread to think where this would have gone. My own mental health was also declining.
“It has been lovely to have support from Barnardo’s. Things are still tough, but I’m more optimistic now. A few weeks ago, I didn’t know what to do and where to go.”
In the past year, Barnardo’s supported over 18,000 children, young people and families across Northern Ireland. Their services are seeing the need for support increasing, and by providing vouchers and warm clothes, they "continue to try and fill the gaps left behind by Government".
Michele Janes, Barnardo’s NI Director said: "We at Barnardo’s are deeply concerned that many families are facing a crisis point. In the middle of a harsh winter, the heating has been off in many homes. In some homes, the lights were off over Christmas, and they remain off. Families are having to make difficult choices just to survive.
"It’s 2023. No child should grow up living in poverty. No family should feel shame if they are struggling. We want every child to thrive and achieve their full potential. T his is only possible if we tackle poverty.
"With no Assembly, no Executive, and no Ministers in place, we have even less political leadership here than we had twelve months ago. To help families, we need a long-term, ambitious, Anti-Poverty Strategy which lifts children and families out of poverty.
"We don’t need words of support or concern. We need action. Our children deserve better."
*Sarah's name has been changed to protect her identity
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