George's life was in turmoil. Struggling to manage his home, finances, and emotional health, he was referred to Revival after his Housing Officer recognized the severity of his situation.
George was living without heating or hot water, weighed down by financial hardship, and battling loneliness following the loss of his family members. These overwhelming challenges were pushing him to the brink, and George even began to experience suicidal thoughts.
Revival’s Wellbeing Support Worker, Claire, visited George at his home to understand his needs and create a tailored support plan to help him regain control of his life.
Claire provided a listening ear and an understanding approach.
“When I first visited George, it was immediately clear that he was struggling to cope,” said Claire. “He was finding it incredibly difficult to live independently, and the weight of everything was crushing him.”
“I sat down with him, offering a non-judgmental space to talk through his challenges. As we spoke, George began to open up about his situation, and it was clear that he was facing several urgent issues,” Claire added.
George shared that he was financially strained, with £300 in unpaid electricity bills, and was receiving minimal support through benefits. On top of this, his heating and hot water were out due to a broken meter, leaving him cold and unable to manage basic needs.
George revealed the emotional toll of loss and isolation.
George also confided in Claire about the recent death of his mother and grandmother—two significant figures in his life. Their loss had left him emotionally drained and struggling to cope. This grief, combined with financial pressure, made it almost impossible for him to handle the everyday tasks required to maintain his home.
“I also learned that George was feeling extremely isolated,” said Claire. “He had no phone, so he was cut off from services and unable to reach out for help. With no close family or friends to lean on, George felt completely alone.”
Recognizing the complexity of George’s situation, Claire swiftly put a support plan into action to address both his immediate needs and longer-term challenges.
A food parcel and emergency heat pack were provided to ensure George had the essentials to get by.
Claire contacted George’s energy supplier and had him added to their priority vulnerable persons list, which not only halted the threatening letters but ensured George would receive more tailored support. The energy company responded quickly, sending an engineer to replace the broken meters, restoring George’s heating and hot water on the same day.
To help ease his financial burden, Claire arranged a manageable payment plan with the energy provider and referred George to Potteries Money Wise, a local service that could assist him in applying for discounts on his utility bills.
Given George's emotional distress, Claire referred him to Adult Social Care and the Mental Health Crisis Team for further support, providing him with reassurance that help was available if he ever felt suicidal or overwhelmed.
To tackle George’s loneliness, Claire suggested he attend local community lounges, where he could engage with others and reduce feelings of isolation.
Speaking to Claire post-support, George shared the life changing impact of the service.
“George told me he felt much less stressed and more confident in managing his challenges. It was amazing to see him more positive about the future,” said Claire. “He even called me his ‘guardian angel,’ and I have to admit, it made me tear up. Hearing that made all the hard work worthwhile.”
The support provided to George not only restored his basic living conditions, but it also significantly improved his mental wellbeing. With the burden of financial uncertainty lifted, and access to support services in place, George was now able to look forward to the future with hope.
Revival’s Wellbeing Support service gave George a renewed sense of hope.
Thanks to targeted support from Revival, George’s quality of life has drastically improved. He is no longer living in fear of financial collapse or physical discomfort, and his mental health has stabilized. For the first time in a long while, George feels in control of his life and is positive about the future.
This case is a powerful reminder of the profound impact that holistic support can have on someone's wellbeing. With a combination of practical assistance, emotional support, and access to vital services, Revival has helped George rebuild his life, giving him a second chance at happiness and stability.
