‘Severe depression’ was the product of months of stress and sleepless nights for Molly*. The mum-of-four had been living hand-to-mouth for years after her partner had an accident at work.
The Stretford family were left with no breadwinner. With her partner recovering from surgery for two years, Molly needed to raise the home on benefits from the beginning of last year. Then, the cost-of-living crisis hit.
Soaring energy bills, hikes in the cost of a food shop, and surges in fuel prices left the family of six with just £100 to see them through the month once all bills were paid — and that sum had to cover the food shop. Faced with limited options, Molly said she had to go without.
