Danielle’s story
“Everyone should be able to live in peace and feel safe in their own home – that’s all I want, and I don’t think I am asking for a lot.”
It all started a few years ago, my next door neighbours moved in just before lockdown but in July 2022 they began making my life a misery and it has been relentless ever since. Some of the things they have done, I wouldn’t have believed if it wasn’t happening to me. I live with my son who has additional support needs, a benign brain tumour, autism and ADHD, along with some other medical conditions. He is paranoid that he is being watched by them and is scared to play in the garden, fearing they will shout abuse at him. I have reported them to the police, I don’t know how many times, but they still continue with their vile behaviour.
I went to my GP because my mental health had hit rock bottom and I didn’t know what to do or who to turn to. They referred me to a Community Link Worker (CLW) to get support and help with housing. I am so grateful they did as she has been brilliant. She helped me to write letters to the Housing Association and looked into alternative accommodation for me and my family. I feel like I am stuck but, even when I have given up, she is really trying to help me. She has put me in touch with different agencies and always has a plan for the next step. Having someone to talk to and having someone on my side, supporting me, makes a massive difference. It doesn’t seem to matter what I contact her about, she knows what to do. My parents both have health conditions, and I support them too, so it takes a weight off my shoulders knowing she is there for me. She knows I am struggling so even if I don’t see her every week, she contacts me to check in. She really cares.
My living situation makes me incredibly anxious and depressed. I don’t know what I am going to wake up to every day or what they are going to do. We have recently discovered that we have an issue with damp in the house as well and, as both my son and I have asthma, the house is totally unsuitable for my family. It doesn’t have to be perfect, even if we have to move to temporary accommodation for a while, I will move anywhere because it will be better than where I currently am. Everyone should be able to live in peace and feel safe in their own home – that’s all I want and I don’t think I am asking for a lot.
Danielle’s story is part of the latest Humans of Scotland publication – Community Links Worker Edition. The book is available to read here.
Read all Humans of Scotland stories here.
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